Jannik Sinner ends Atmane’s Dream Run in Cincinnati, to watch Alcaraz in the final

Top seeds and title defender Jannik Sinner celebrated his 24th birthday in style by defeating French Qualifier Terence Atmane in the semi-final of the Cincinnati Open. Sinner’s 7-6 (4) 6-2 victory ended Atmane’s Dream Run at the US Open Tune-Up event, setting up a final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

In the other semi-final, Alcaraz secured a 6-4 6-3 win over the German third seed Alexander Zverev. Zverev, who appeared to be struggling physically during the match, couldn’t match Alcaraz’s performance on the court. The stage is now set for a rematch of the French Open and Wimbledon Finals of this year.

Sinner showcased a dominant performance in his match against Atmane, winning an impressive 91 percent of his first-way service points. He didn’t face a single breaking point throughout the 86-minute match and converted two of the five breaking points he had. Sinner acknowledged the challenge of playing against a new opponent, emphasizing the difficulty of adapting to a new playing style.

The Italian world number one displayed a strong serving display in the tightly contested first set, where neither player had a breakpoint opportunity. Sinner’s precision on serve allowed him to maintain control of the match and ultimately secure the victory.

In the second set, Sinner continued his dominance with a nine-minute service hold followed by a crucial break to take a 3-1 lead. He maintained his momentum to close out the match and end Atmane’s impressive run in the tournament.

Alcaraz’s match against Zverev was briefly interrupted for 11 minutes due to a medical emergency in the stands. Despite the delay, Alcaraz showed resilience and saved three consecutive breaking points to level the score at 2-2. The Spaniard’s skillful play and strategic shot selection helped him secure a break and a 4-3 lead in the first set.

In the second set, Alcaraz capitalized on Zverev’s errors and secured a break to take control of the match. Despite Zverev’s efforts to stay in the game, Alcaraz’s relentless play and determination led him to a convincing victory.

As Alcaraz advances to the final, he expressed his sympathy for Zverev, who appeared to be struggling with discomfort during the match. Alcaraz’s sportsmanship and well wishes for his opponent highlight the camaraderie and respect among players on the tour.

The stage is now set for an exciting final between Sinner and Alcaraz, promising a thrilling showdown between two talented players. Tennis fans can look forward to a competitive and high-stakes match as the Cincinnati Open reaches its climax.