CINCINNATI.- The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz and the Italian Jannik Sinner They will collide on Monday in the final of Cincinnati Masters 1000, in a new chapter of the great rivalry of current tennis.
The clash between Sinner, defender of the title, and Alcaraz will also define who arrives at the most favorite of the United States Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, which is launched on August 24 in New York.
The Italian, leader of the ATPhis place was won this Saturday with a more worked victory than expected in his semifinal against Frenchman Térence Atmana, 136 of the ranking.
Sinner ended up prevailing by 7-6 (7/4) and 6-2 and blew with relief the 24 birthday candles.
In the second semifinal, Alcaraz exceeded 6-4 and 6-3 to German Alexander Zverev, who played the last set physically diminished under the strong heat and humidity in Cincinnati (Ohio).
“It is never easy to play against someone who does not feel one hundred percent and for me it is even more difficult to do it against Sascha. He is a great player and a great person, we have a great relationship,” said the world number two.
“My focus was then how he felt instead of focusing on my game. It was a very difficult situation and I wish him the best,” he said.
Zverev, who is diabetic, appeared in his second semifinal followed by 1000 Masters between doubts about the discomfort he suffered in the quarterfinals against Ben Shelton, when he suffered dizziness and breathing problems.
Alcaraz seized an even first set showing his best version to the service, with nine ‘ACES’, and greater effectiveness in the key moments.
After escaping three ‘Break’ balls, the Spanish took advantage of his to seize the first manga.
At the beginning of the second the German began to feel indisposed, taking brief pauses to rely on its racket or sit on the track.
Zverev received medical attention and briefly went through the locker room, but on the way back he was still limited in his movements and could barely stay track to avoid leaving the game.
Seventh final followed
In this way, Alcaraz will have a second chance to inaugurate his record in Cincinnati after his defeat in the 2023 final against Novak Djokovic.
Since April, Murcia has advanced until the last instance in its seven played tournaments.
Three of those finals faced Sinner, with two wins of Spanish in the clay of the 1000 Masters of Rome and Roland Garros and the most recent Italian on Wimbledon’s grass.
“I’m looking forward to playing him again,” Alcaraz said. “Thanks to him I show my best tennis and for people it is also great because we take ourselves to the limit. I am ready for the challenge.”
