Number 1 in the world, Jannik Sinner, paired with Spanish opponent Carlos Alcaraz, will extend their intense rivalry to the Cincinnati Open final after both runners made it through with impressive straight-set wins on Saturday.
On his 24th birthday, Sinner took great pleasure in putting an end to the fairy-tale run of qualifier Terence Atmane by beating the 136th-ranked Frenchman 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.
The Italian, who came to this tournament after his Wimbledon victory, still hasn’t lost a set this week, as he is going for his second consecutive Cincinnati title—last time had been in 2014-15 with Roger Federer. Atmane, whose climb will take him into the top 70 of the world, was the 22nd French player Sinner defeated in a row since May 2021.
Alcaraz defeated Zverev 6-4, 6-3 and went through to the next round. Zverev was having a hard time in the 32°C heat, took a medical timeout early in the second set and therefore had to retire.
Despite a fragile game that which saw him doing four double faults in one game, the Spaniard finished perfectly winning the last 12 points as Zverev lost his energy.
It’ll be their fourth final meeting this time, after previous encounters at Rome, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon where Sinner came out the winner. Looking for payback, Alcaraz stated: “We are always at our best when we face each other. I’ll be 100% fit and focused for Monday.”
