Alcaraz wins Cincinnati title after Sinner retires ill

Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open title after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner was forced to retire due to illness while trailing 5-0 in the first set after just 23 minutes of play.
• Sinner, the defending champion who turned 24 on Saturday, began feeling unwell the day before the final and his condition worsened by match time, ending his 26-match hard-court winning streak.
• The Italian apologized extensively to fans during an emotional trophy ceremony, marking only the third time the Cincinnati Open men’s final has ended in retirement since 2011.
• Alcaraz showed exceptional sportsmanship by writing “Sorry Jannik” on a camera lens and offering supportive words to his rival, extending their head-to-head record to 9-5 in his favor.
• The victory makes Alcaraz the youngest Cincinnati champion since Andy Murray in 2008 and raises questions about Sinner’s fitness for defending his US Open title, which begins Sunday.