India, Aug. 19 -- Carlos Alcaraz clinched his first ATP Cincinnati Open title under bittersweet circumstances on Monday, after defending champion and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner retired hurt in the opening set of the final.

The highly anticipated clash between Alcaraz and Sinner ended abruptly after just five games. Alcaraz stormed to a 5-0 lead in the first set before an ailing Sinner, visibly struggling on court, signaled he could no longer continue. The retirement handed Alcaraz his sixth title of the 2025 season.

Immediately after the match ended, Alcaraz approached a dejected Sinner, who sat quietly in his chair courtside. The Spaniard offered words of comfort to his rival, before turning to the broadcast camera and writing the messa...