Spain\u2019s Carlos Alcaraz, ranked world No. 2, was crowned champion of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 for the first time in his career after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy withdraw at the end of the first set while trailing 0-5 due to exhaustion. Poland\u2019s Iga \u015awi\u0105tek followed suit by defeating Italy\u2019s Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4.<\/p>
Alcaraz captured his eighth Masters 1000 title, adding to his five Grand Slam trophies, including Roland Garros in Paris earlier this June against Sinner himself.<\/p>
The Spaniard also strengthened his lead for most wins this ATP season, reaching 54 victories. He now leads their head-to-head 9-5 overall, and 5-2 on hard courts.<\/p>
Alcaraz quickly broke his opponent\u2019s serve in the opening game, capitalizing on four unforced errors from the Italian to go up 1-0, then held his serve for 2-0 before breaking again to extend his lead to 3-0.<\/p>
He continued his complete dominance in the first set by taking the fourth game for 4-0, then broke Sinner again in the fifth\u2014helped by a double fault from the Italian\u2014for 5-0.<\/p>
Trailing 0-5 in the first set, the world No. 1 took a medical timeout after which he decided to withdraw from the final, handing his rival his first title at the American tournament.<\/p>
After requesting medical attention, Sinner said: \u201cSorry guys, I can\u2019t. I tried but I can\u2019t. I feel terrible. I can\u2019t move, I feel like I\u2019m going to collapse. I apologize to the fans.\u201d<\/p>
Alcaraz responded: \u201cTake care of yourself, that\u2019s the most important thing.\u201d<\/p>
Sinner once again apologized to the crowd after the match, explaining that he had begun to feel unwell on Sunday: \u201cSince yesterday, I haven\u2019t felt good. I thought I would feel better overnight, but it only got worse. I tried to at least make it a short match, but I couldn\u2019t handle any more.\u201d<\/p>
The defending champion expressed sympathy for his rival: \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll come back from this stronger than before. That\u2019s what true champions always do.\u201d<\/p>
This was the fourth final between the two this season, after the Rome Masters and Roland Garros, both won by Alcaraz, and Wimbledon, where Sinner triumphed.<\/p>
In the women\u2019s draw, \u015awi\u0105tek, ranked world No. 3, lifted her maiden Cincinnati trophy by defeating Paolini 7-5, 6-4.<\/p>
The match, which lasted nearly two hours, was filled with break-point chances for both players, but it was the Pole who prevailed, converting six out of ten opportunities to seal the victory without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.<\/p>
It was \u015awi\u0105tek\u2019s 11th WTA 1000 title, leaving her just two short of the record held by American legend Serena Williams.<\/p>
Paolini started strongly, racing to a 3-0 lead, but the Pole responded by winning five consecutive games to go up 5-3.<\/p>
The Italian managed to level at 5-5 by breaking back in the tenth game, but \u015awi\u0105tek had the final say by breaking again in the twelfth game to take the first set 7-5.<\/p>
The two players traded breaks early in the second set before \u015awi\u0105tek closed it out in her favor.<\/p>
\u015awi\u0105tek said: \u201cWinning here in Cincinnati is always tough. This gives me a huge confidence boost. I\u2019m happy with the work we\u2019ve been doing\u2014my team convinced me to play differently and I\u2019m glad I did, and that I closed it out in straight sets.\u201d<\/p>
\u015awi\u0105tek now has 24 career titles, and the Wimbledon champion will enter the US Open\u2014the season\u2019s final Grand Slam starting next Sunday\u2014full of confidence.<\/p>
She also reduced the gap at the top of the world rankings to 500 points behind Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, meaning the No. 1 spot will be up for grabs at the American major, which the Pole previously won in 2022.<\/p>
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