Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are the rivals in the Cincinnati Masters final. The world's best players will embrace their fifth straight title match and the fourth in a row since May!
The Italian and the Spaniard will fight in a hard-court final for the second time, the first since Beijing in October last year. If they repeat the level and intensity of that match, we will witness a crackingMasters 1000 final between world no. 1 and no. 2.
In Beijing, Carlos prevailed 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 in three hours and 21 minutes following one of the season-best duels. It was their tenth encounter, and they made it memorable following over three hours of atomic tennis.
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They pushed each other to the limits, and Sinner had his chances to turn the tables and lift a trophy. The Italian erased a 5-2 deficit in the first set and denied three set points en route to a massive steal and a boost of confidence.
World no. 1 led 4-3 in the secondset and generated break points in game eight that could have pushed him closer to the finish line. However, Alcaraz saved them and grabbed a break in the next one after the rival's forehand errorfor 5-4.
The younger player held at love in game ten with a service winner, forcing a decider after two hours and eight minutes. The Spaniard gained momentum and secured a break in the third game of the final set.
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Carlos held with an ace in the sixth game before spraying a forehand error at 4-3 to bring his rival back to the positive side. Jannik stood two points away from victory on the return at 5-4.
Alcaraz brought the game home and extended the battle. Jannik held after a deuce in the 11th game, and Carlos introduced a deciding tie break with a smash winner a few minutes later.
The Italian moved 3-0 up, looking good to extend his ATP 500 streak. However, the Spaniard had different plans! He stepped in and notched seven straight points, firing six winners and cracking a bullet from his forehand at 6-3 to start a massive celebration.
Alcaraz got broken two times from six chances presented to his great rival. Sinner played against 15 break points and defended12, giving everything and almost emerging at the top first.
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The Spaniard played aggressive tennis, with 55 winners and 52 unforced errors. However, things may be different in tonight's Cincinnati final, with Jannik hoping to control the rallies and make his rival uncomfortable from the baseline like at Wimbledon.
Carlos attacked the net and rushed to the net. If he manages to repeat that and tame his strokes, he will have a chance to dethrone Sinner in Cincinnati and reduce the gap in a battle for the ATP throne.
If they both play at their best, we will witness another tennis classic between the world's finest players. The stakes are high, but only one will lift a trophy in a couple of hours.
