Carlos Alcaraz has secured his third ATP Masters 1000 title of the season, but not in the way he would have wanted to.
The Spaniard was 5-0 up in the first set against his Wimbledon conqueror Jannik Sinner, who was nowhere near his best.
After Sinner called the physio, he quickly decided he could not continue, and retired from the contest, explaining in his post-match interview that he had not been feeling well since the day before.
Following the match, former American tennis player Ryan Harrison gave his verdict on whether or not the world number one will be ready in time for the US Open.
Ryan Harrison gives his verdict on Jannik Sinner’s US Open hopes
When asked if he had any worries about Sinner recovering in time for the event, Harrison said on Sky Sports: “Not much. I think hearing that he has seven days to respond.
“Whatever he is dealing with, he will be straight to the doctor’s office. From that camp, it’s not something that I would be overly worried about.
“Especially given that US Open is a two week event, you get through your first round and you get a day off.
“You get through your second round and you get a day off. So by the time he recovers this week and gets through an opening match or two, I think that in nine or 10 days he will be fully recovered.”
Jannik Sinner’s US Open match the day after the Cincinnati final
Sinner is scheduled to play in round one of the reimagined mixed doubles tournament at the US Open the day after the Cincinnati Open final.
He was set to play alongside Katerina Siniakova against the team of Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev in his opening match.
His availability was already in doubt due to the lack of time between the two matches, but it is now very likely that Sinner will withdraw from the competition.
Though Alcaraz also has a short turnaround, as he was not physically tested in the final, his campaign alongside Emma Raducanu may still be on the cards.
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