Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz enter the US Open as the top favorites to decided another Major title in the final on September 7. The world's best players met on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday, just three days after their Cincinnati Masters final.
The Spaniard and the Italian met in their fourth consecutive final in Ohio. Instead of another cracker, Carlos lifted a trophy after only 23 minutes, as Jannik retired after dropping the opening five games of the duel.
World no. 1 withdrew from mixed doubles and took a couple of days off the court, struggling with virus and high fever. Sinner fully recovered and looked good during his practice session with Francisco Comesana.
But first, he exchanges a few words with Carlos, his main rival in New York this year. The Italian will try to become the first defending champion in New York since Roger Federer in 2008.
Jannik has won the previous three hard-court Majors since the beginning of 2024, seeking the fourth and a place in history books. The 24-year-old lost the Roland Garros final to Alcaraz after squandering a massive chance to lift a trophy.
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Sinner bounced back at Wimbledon and served revenge in the final clash, becoming the first Italian with a trophy at the All England Club. Jannik and Carlos skipped the Canada Masters in Toronto.
They bounced back in Cincinnati and arranged another title clash. The Italian had health issues for two days, struggling with fever and flu and starting the final only for the crowd.
Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025 Stream screenshot
He gave everything but decided to retire after dropping the first five games. Thus, Alcaraz gained a boost ahead of the US Open, looking good to chase his first trophy in New York in three years.
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Carlos became the first teenager with a Major crown in 2022. He lost to Daniil Medvedev a year later and experienced a stunning defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp a year ago.
The Spaniard hopes for a much better run in the next two weeks, targeting his eighth consecutive ATP final and sixth Major trophy at 22.
