Alcaraz overcomes errors, Zverev’s struggles to reach Cincinnati final
Spaniard recovers from four double faults in one game to set up title clash with Sinner after Zverev fades in the heat (6-4, 6-3)
Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025 | © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images/SIPA
Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Cincinnati Open final on Saturday with a 6-4 6-3 win over Alexander Zverev, taking advantage of German’s physical struggles in sweltering conditions.
Thanks to this result, Sunday’s men’s final at Cincinnati will mark the latest chapter in the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry, which has become a fixture at the top of the men’s game. The Italian advanced earlier with a straight-sets win over French qualifier Terence Atmane, setting up another showdown in one of the sport’s most compelling rivalries.
The Spaniard, seeded second, withstood an early challenge from Zverev in a competitive opening set before breaking serve late (3-3 to 5-3) to move ahead. He closed out the opener in 46 minutes with aggressive returns and precise baseline play.
Zverev not in his normal state
Zverev, who has type 1 diabetes, appeared increasingly uncomfortable in the second set as temperatures hovered above 30 degrees Celsius. At 2-1 down, he requested a medical timeout and left the court for treatment. Upon resuming, he was visibly diminished, sitting on the baseline between points and often allowing rallies to slip away.
Alcaraz maintained focus despite the unusual circumstances, breaking twice in the second set, in the last three games, to complete the win in just under one hour and 45 minutes.
“It’s never easy playing against someone who isn’t feeling well, especially Sascha,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview. “But I tried to stay in my game and finish strong.” Leading 1-0, 40-15 in the second, Alcaraz served four double faults and other unforced errors to let Zverev be back at 1-1.
For Zverev, the loss halted what had been a strong summer campaign ahead of the US Open. The German had reached deep runs in Hamburg and Toronto and arrived in Cincinnati looking sharp before heat and fatigue cut short his bid for a second title here after his win in 2021.
