The Cincinnati Open finals have arrived, with Jannik Sinner playing Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek taking on Jasmine Paolini.
Sinner versus Alcaraz takes place first in the ATP Masters 1000 event, followed by Swiatek versus Paolini in the WTA 1000 tournament.
A new women’s Cincinnati Open champion will be crowned after Aryna Sabalenka lifted the trophy in 2024, while Sinner is out to defend his title after beating Frances Tiafoe this time last year.
But the action has been overshadowed before even getting underway, with fans unhappy about the Cincinnati Open final time.
The ATP and WTA tours decided the Monday Cincinnati Open final, which takes place just a day before the US Open mixed doubles tournament.
Rennae Stubbs slams Cincinnati Open for ‘absolutely bonkers’ decision
It is a decision that has really angered former player Rennae Stubbs, who shared her discontent on social media ahead of the matches.
Tagging the ATP and WTA tours, she wrote on X: “A Monday final is just absolutely bonkers! I’m sure the US Open isn’t happy about it either.
“Detracting from fan week & possibly the mixed doubles tournament they’ve put a lot of money into and that fans have paid to see with those names. Tennis really needs a commish!”
US Open won’t be happy as Jasmine Paolini withdraws from mixed doubles event
The Cincinnati Open schedule has indeed already had an impact on the US Open, specifically the mixed doubles event.
Having just reached the final in Cincinnati, Paolini has decided against competing in the newly revamped tournament at Flushing Meadows, and she isn’t the only one.
Paolini had been scheduled to compete with fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti, but confirmed her withdrawal before playing Swiatek.
She told Tennis Channel: “I need some rest guys, so I’m not going to play the mixed doubles. I decided with my team to rest one or two days after this tournament, because it’s been a tough tournament.
“I would love to play with Lorenzo, and hopefully next year, hopefully we have the chance to play again. I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.”
Paolini can, of course, be forgiven for her decision given her fantastic and very tricky run at the Cincinnati Open.
Ahead of meeting six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, the WTA number nine knocked out the likes of Coco Gauff, Barbora Krejcikova and Maria Sakkari.
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