 "Carlos Alcaraz's rivalry with Jannik Sinner is getting hotter. Image: Reuters")
World number one Jannik Sinner and his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz are set to clash again, this time in the Cincinnati Masters final. Both players won their semifinals in straight sets on Saturday, August 16, to set up another big showdown this year.
Sinner, playing on his 24th birthday, defeated French qualifier Terence Atmane 7-6, 6-2. The Italian will now look to win back-to-back Cincinnati Masters titles, something that has not been done since Roger Federer in 2014 and 2015.
“Very, very tough challenge. Every time when you play against someone completely new it’s very difficult. I knew that I had to be very, very careful and my mindset today was in a good spot. I feel like I handled situations on the court very well,” Sinner said after his win.
World number two Alcaraz also looked strong as he beat Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-3. The Spaniard will also play his second Cincinnati Masters final. He lost to 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in 2023.
Alcaraz on facing Sinner again
Alcaraz said he is excited to face Sinner again: “We always bring our best tennis. We raise each other’s level. I’m ready to take the challenge. I will try and adjust my game better and correct what I did wrong in our last match. I want to be ready with my 100%. Mentally I’ll be ready I’m excited for Monday."
This will be their fourth final against each other in 2025. Sinner beat Alcaraz in their most recent clash at Wimbledon last month, while Alcaraz won at the French Open and Italian Open earlier in the summer. The final is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 19, at 12:30 AM IST.
Alcaraz vs Sinner: Head-to-head
Alcaraz has the upper hand against Sinner with an overall scoreline of 8-5 in their career meetings. However, Sinner currently has the momentum after winning their Wimbledon final. Before that, Alcaraz had won five straight matches against Sinner, including in Rome and Roland Garros.