Jannik Sinner retires after just five games as Carlos Alcaraz wins Cincinnati Open final – live

“Usually I start with the opponent but today I have to start with you guys [the crowd]. I’m super super sorry to disappoint you. From yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought I would improve during the night. It came up worse.

“I tried to come out and make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle more. I’m very very sorry for all of you. I know some of you on Monday maybe had to work or do something else, so I’m very very sorry.

“Of course Carlos congrats. Another title. Not the way you wanted to win but it’s amazing what kind of season you’re producing. You and your whole team are doing amazing. Keep it up. I wish you only all the best for the U.S. Open and the rest of the season.”

A tough moment for Jannik Sinner as he retired after just five games and apologised to the crowd for letting them down, but plenty of sportsmanship on display too as he was comforted by Carlos Alcaraz.

Speaking of tomorrow’s action… the revamped US Open mixed doubles tournament has certainly divided opinion.

For all the star-studded pairs and $1m winning purse, the new-look mixed doubles in New York lacks Grand Slam prestige and has largely disregarded doubles specialists, as Kieran Jackson explains

Carlos Alcaraz’s message to Jannik Sinner on X after winning the Cincinnati Open:

“I’m so sorry for Jannik! Nobody likes to win because their opponent retires, especially in a final like this. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Very happy with my week in Cincinnati and feeling ready for the US Open!”

As it stands, Jannik Sinner is due on court with Katerina Siniakova on Tuesday afternoon in New York for their US Open mixed doubles match against Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev. They’re scheduled second in the second session on Louis Armstrong Arena, so approximately 2:30pm local time.

With $1m in prize money, does Sinner try and play or does he do the sensible thing and withdraw?

While Jannik Sinner’s participation in the new-look US Open mixed doubles on Tuesday and Wednesday looks in doubt, there is plenty of time for the World No 1 to recover in time for singles action.

The draw is on Thursday ahead of the start of play on Sunday. Sinner, as the top seed on the men’s side, could be in action on the opening day, or else it will be Monday or Tuesday.

Of course, his opening match will be a lot kinder than Carlos Alcaraz.

Let’s hope ticket holders for the Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner match also get to see the women’s final between Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini, or they may end up very short-changed indeed.

The women’s final gets underway shortly with Swiatek looking for her second title in a row after last month’s Wimbledon victory. She takes on the Rome champion Paolini, an opponent she has won all six previous meetings against.

Not the way he wanted to win, of course, but Carlos Alcaraz has added to his impressive resume with the Cincinnati Open title.

It’s his eighth ATP Masters title of his career, the most among any active player other than Novak Djokovic.

He now also holds a 9-5 advantage in his head-to-head with Sinner, and has extended his lead over the Italian in the ATP’s Race to Turin.

Also, in the last two years, both the men’s and women’s Cincinnati Open champions went on to win the US Open.

So a good omen there too.

Jannik Sinner’s preparations for his US Open defence have been disrupted by illness after the World No 1 was forced to retire from his Cincinnati Open final against young rival Carlos Alcaraz, lasting just five games.

Sinner was clearly out of sorts on a hot day in Ohio and lost his serve three times before pulling out from the match. The 24-year-old apologised to the crowd and confirmed he started feeling ill the day before, with his condition worsening on the day of the final.

Carlos Alcaraz sent a touching message to Jannik Sinner after his rival retired from their Cincinnati Open final after just five games having struggled with illness.

Sinner, the World No 1, did not win a game and threw in the towel after just 20 minutes of the match, with the Italian confirming that he started feeling ill the day before.

The premature end to the highly anticipated clash between the two best players in the world left the crowd stunned and Alcaraz unable to celebrate winning the trophy.

Instead, the Spaniard sent his best wishes to Sinner and said he would return stronger after bringing an early end to the latest chapter of their rivalry.