Carlos Alcaraz ousts ailing Alexander Zverev, sets up another showdown with Jannik Sinner in Cincinnati final

Carlos Alcaraz will face off against Jannik Sinner in the final of the Cincinnati Open on Monday after the Spaniard took down Alexander Zverev 6-4, 6-3 in the early hours of Sunday morning in Ohio. A rematch of their Roland Garros, Rome and Wimbledon finals is upon us.

Zverev in particular was a doubt prior to the match even starting with illness seeing him weigh up whether it was even worth it stepping onto court. He started to break down physically in the second. He was treated by the physio on Friday and left the court for an MTO at 2-1 in the second. This after a superb opening first set which saw Alcaraz just about nick it.

But going into the second, Zverev was soaked in sweat and it was only a matter of time before Alcaraz took full control. That he did. Only really in the match Alcaraz gifting him a break back after three consecutive double faults after a first set and a break to open the second was his only issue but Zverev was not able to challenge much after that as he eased more towards the finishing line in the second 6-3.

Alcaraz post match touched upon how much it was a shame to see Zverev like he was. But now it is Sinner that awaits in their fourth meeting this year and 14th time overall. He lost to him in the final at Wimbledon after winning at Roland Garros. Going into the US Open where he was dominant last year, it is more also about Alcaraz putting down a marker and a statement ahead of Sinner's title defence that makes it even more intriguing.

"It's never easy playing against someone that you know is not feeling 100 per cent. It's even tougher when it comes from Sascha, such a great player, such a great person off the court. We have a really good relationship," Alcaraz said. "It was difficult. I think we started the match playing good tennis, but then all of a sudden he started to feel bad and and my focus was thinking about how he was feeling instead focusing on myself and playing good tennis."

"We started the match really good, playing good rallies, a good level of tennis," added the Spaniard. "But then all of a sudden he started to feel bad. And then my focus, I was thinking about how he's feeling, besides focusing on myself and playing good tennis. It was a really difficult situation for me and I just wish him all the best."

Next up is that clash against Jannik Sinner and it is one that Alcaraz is really looking forward to as fans again get the latest episode in their storied rivalry come Monday. Thankfully unlike Canada and Cincinnati also, both will have a few days to recover too ahead of their US Open campaigns so they can leave it all on the court. He said he needs to be ready and perfect in all facets to take on his great rival.

“I just am really looking forward to playing him once again. Thanks to him I just bring my best tennis in the match. For the people it’s great as well, watching our matches. We raise the level to the top and bring really beautiful tennis on the match. I’m ready to take the challenge. I’m ready to see the things that I did wrong in the last match, trying to be better on Monday. Tomorrow is a day off. I’ll try to adjust my game a bit better to be ready at my 100%. Mentally and tactically to be ready and be perfect. It’s gonna be a really good day tomorrow and I’m excited for Monday.”