(Cincinnati) Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati tennis tournament while he was leading 5-0 on Monday following the abandonment of the world No. 1, Jannik Sinner.
The match was interrupted after 23 minutes of play, following the intervention of a sports therapist. It is unknown for the moment the cause of the abandonment of Sinner.
“I am very, very sorry to disappoint you,” said Sinner, during the trophies presentation ceremony, addressing the public.
“Since yesterday [dimanche]I didn’t feel very well. I thought it would improve during the night, but things got worse. I tried to present myself on the court, I tried to make it at least a small struggle, but I could not bear more. I’m very sorry, “added Sinner.
Photo Aaron doster, Imagn Imans
Jannik Sinner
Under this result, Alcaraz now presents a 9-5 career sheet against Italian. He also won a sixth simple title on the ATP circuit this season, and a 22e in career.
“It’s not the way I want to win trophies. I can’t just say I’m sorry. I can understand how you feel right now, ”Alcaraz told his opponent.
“As I have said several times, you are a real champion and I am sure that from this situation, you will come back even stronger, as you always do. This is what real champions do. I’m sorry, and come back stronger. »»
The two major rivals of male tennis only played 29 points on Monday, and of this total, Sinner won only eight. The Italian started the match at his service and lost the four points of the game without getting only one.
After a tighter struggle in the service of Alcaraz during the next game, Sinner quickly found himself in front of a 0-40 deficit on his return to the service. He saved the first two bread chances, but not the third. Then Alcaraz won eight of the following 11 points to raise his advance at 5-0.
Sitting on his bench during the break which was to precede the change of side, Sinner, obviously in bad shape, spoke with sport therapists. Then, he withdrew the compression sleeve which covered his right arm, got up and headed for Alcaraz to tell him that he could no longer continue. Alcaraz gave him a warm embrace.
Sinner and Alcaraz clashed during a final of a tournament for the fourth time this year and delivered a first duel since the ultimate Wimbledon international match on July 13.
Sinner, who celebrated his 24e Birth anniversary on Saturday, had won its 12 previous games, and 26 in a row on hard surface. He was trying to become the first player from the Swiss Roger Federer, in 2014 and in 2015, to win the simple male of the Cincinnati tournament two years in a row.
The female final will oppose the world No. 3, the Polish Iga Swiatek, with Italian Jasmine Paolini (No. 7). It will take place a little later today.
