Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked player, had to retire due to illness during the first set, and Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open title in just over 20 minutes.
With Sinner handily won the first match, it was noteworthy because it was their fourth final of the 2025 season. Before his opponent contacted his trainer to inquire about his condition, Alcaraz rallied and won the following four games.
It was only the third time a man had retired from the Cincinnati Open men’s final, and the first since Novak Djokovic did so in the second set due to a shoulder injury in 2011.
Sinner prevailed in Wimbledon, while Alcaraz overcame a two-set deficit and saved three championship chances to win at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz now has a 9–5 head-to-head record over Sinner, including a 6–2 advantage on hardcourts, thanks to Monday’s outcome.
Sinner prevailed in four sets at Wimbledon, but the Spaniard won the May Rome Masters in straight sets and a thrilling five-set match at the French Open.
It was only the third time the top two men’s players have faced off in the Cincinnati Open final; the previous two meetings were between No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 2 Djokovic in 2012 and No. 2 Djokovic and No. 1 Alcaraz in 2022.
Third Later on Monday, Iga Swiatek played No. 7 Jasmine Paolini in the women’s final.
The U.S. Open singles competition gets underway in New York on Sunday, August 24.