Tennis stars Sinner and Sabalenka advance to the Cincinnati tournament's semifinals
The 2025 Cincinnati Masters tournament concluded on August 18, with Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek emerging as champions in their respective singles draws. The event, marked by a series of notable advancements and a rare retirement in the men's final, raised the standard for Masters 1000 events heading into the 2025 US Open.
Men's Singles
In a historic turn of events, Carlos Alcaraz (No. 2 seed) defeated Jannik Sinner (No. 1 seed) after Sinner retired early in the final due to illness. This marked only the third retirement in a men's final in Cincinnati Open history. The final lasted just 23 minutes, making it one of the shortest finals since 1990.
This victory gave Alcaraz his 8th Masters 1000 title and 22nd ATP Tour title overall. At 19 years old, Alcaraz became the youngest male champion at Cincinnati since Andy Murray in 2008. Terence Atmane was notable as the first qualifier to reach the semifinals since 2015.
The semifinals prior to the final saw Sinner defeat Atmane and Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev.
Women's Singles
Iga Swiatek dominated the women's draw, winning the title without dropping a set throughout the tournament. Her emphatic victory showcased her clear dominance.
Doubles and Other Highlights
Rajeev Ram, at 41, became the oldest champion in men's doubles at the event. The 2025 tournament was notable for its two-week format and a $260 million renovation of the Lindner Family Tennis Center, including new courts and improved fan experiences.
Key Moments
- Holger Rune, men's seventh seed, advanced to the quarter-finals after 2024 finalist Frances Tiafoe retired due to lower back pain, with Rune up 6-4, 3-1.
- Iga Swiatek, women's third seed, reached the quarter-finals of the tournament with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Sorana Cirstea.
- Sinner, the world number one, notched his 24th consecutive hardcourt match win to gain his fifth quarter-final of the season.
- Sabalenka had to work hard to secure the victory, surrendering a second-set break but breaking Bouzas Maneiro in the final game.
- Magda Linette reached the fourth round at Cincinnati for the first time with a 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3 upset of fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula.
- Iga Swiatek overcame 33 unforced errors in her 95-minute victory against Sorana Cirstea.
- The rain interruption lasted nearly three hours, but Sinner was able to return and win the match.
- The entire game between Zverev and Nakashima, with Zverev leading 6-4, 5-4 when play resumed, took less than two minutes.
- Sinner's victory required patience, with the Italian passing some of the weather pause by playing cards with his team.
- Iga Swiatek expressed satisfaction with her level of focus and consistency in her match against Sorana Cirstea.
The Cincinnati Masters 2025 served as a significant point of tradition and innovation, setting a high standard for Masters 1000 events as the tennis world prepares for the 2025 US Open.
- In the men's singles draw, Carlos Alcaraz proved his dominance in tennis, winning the Cincinnati Masters 2025 without dropping a set, just like Iga Swiatek did in the women's singles.
- Noteworthy moments in the men's singles included Jannik Sinner's retirement during the final due to illness, making it only the third retirement in a men's final in Cincinnati Open history, and Terence Atmane's historic semifinal appearance as the first qualifier to reach the semifinals since 2015.
