Carlos Alcaraz wins Cincinnati Open as Sinner retires from final with illness

Alcaraz confident rival is ‘going to come back stronger’.

Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain pose with their Rookwood Cups after the men's final of the Cincinnati Open. Pic: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Carlos Alcaraz has won the Cincinnati Open for the first time in his career after the world No 1, Jannik Sinner, his great rival, was forced to retire from their highly anticipated final with illness while trailing 0-5 in the opening set.

Sinner, who had looked under the weather from the start of the match, explained later that he had been struggling with illness since Sunday. “I’m super sorry to disappoint you,” the Italian said.