Carlos Alcaraz claimed the Cincinnati Open after Jannik Sinner retired, while Iga Swiatek secured the women’s title by defeating Jasmine Paolini.
Alcaraz Claims Cincinnati Title After Early Retirement
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz lifted the Cincinnati Open trophy on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner retired due to illness in the opening set. The highly anticipated men’s final, lasting just 22 minutes, ended with Alcaraz leading 5-0 before Sinner conceded.
Health Struggles Force Sinner’s Exit
Sinner, who turned 24 over the weekend, admitted he had been unwell since the previous day. Despite attempting to compete, he was visibly struggling, requiring an icepack during breaks before retiring from the match. “I just tried to go out for the fans,” he said, “but it was not meant to be for me today.”
Rare Ending in Tournament History
The abrupt conclusion marked only the third men’s final in Cincinnati Open history decided by retirement, and the first since Novak Djokovic withdrew with injury in 2011. For Alcaraz, who lost the final in 2023, the victory carried extra significance: “I wanted really badly this trophy,” he said.
Rivalry Between Top Two Intensifies
The match was set to be the fourth clash this year between the tour’s top two players. Alcaraz now holds a 9–5 career record against Sinner, with their rivalry producing classics at Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the Rome Masters. Monday’s outcome, however, denied fans another epic chapter.
Swiatek Secures Women’s Crown
On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek defeated Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4 to capture her first Cincinnati Open title. Swiatek, ranked world No. 3, overcame an early deficit to extend her perfect head-to-head record against Paolini to 6–0. The win marked Swiatek’s 24th career singles title.
Paolini Makes Italian Tennis History
Paolini, ranked No. 7, became the first Italian woman to reach the Cincinnati Open final. Despite falling short, her performance reflects her rise in the sport—reaching two Grand Slam singles finals, winning a doubles title, and securing Olympic gold since 2023.
Looking Ahead to the U.S. Open
The Cincinnati Open is considered a key warm-up for the U.S. Open in New York, which begins Sunday. The past two years, both men’s and women’s champions in Cincinnati went on to claim the final Grand Slam of the season—a trend Alcaraz and Swiatek will aim to repeat.
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