Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open title in a little over 20 minutes Monday afternoon, after his nearest rival and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner retired through illness down 5-0. Sinner fought back tears as he was forced to quit the match, which was poised to be another instalment in the most compelling current rivalry in tennis.

The latest chapter of the Jannik Sinner-Carlos Alcaraz rivalry took a stunning turn on Monday when world No. 1 Sinner retired in the first set of the Cincinnati Open final due to an unspecified health issue.

Jannik Sinner Sends Message Before Facing Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati Open Final originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It comes as no surprise that the world No. 1 and No. 2 are back again for the Cincinnati Open final. Jannik Sinner faces Carlos Alcaraz on Monday for the title.

The Spaniard's actions were likely instinctive, but they should have been avoided, reckons former World No. 1 Andy Roddick. Speaking on his "Served" podcast, Roddick felt Alcaraz's coaching staff shouldn't have allowed him to get as close to an ailing Sinner just days before the U.S. Open.

The two young champions, who met as teen-agers, are expected to face off at this year’s U.S. Open. A new book by Giri Nathan tracks their parallel ascent.

Carlos Alcaraz won the Cincinnati Open on Monday after Jannik Sinner was forced to retire due to illness. Alcaraz was already up big on Sinner, the World No. 1, when he had to retire. Sinner told the crowd that he hoped to play after feeling bad overnight, but he couldn't make it work.

Tennis fans got treated to pure magic at the US Open mixed doubles, but sometimes even wizardry can’t save you from a disappointing exit. Carlos Alcaraz pulled off what might be the shot of the tournament – maybe the year – leaving his partner Emma Raducanu looking like she’d just witnessed actual sorcery.

The US Open will be two weeks of highly intense and legacy-building tennis held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.