India, Aug. 19 -- A blockbuster clash was on the cards, and a packed P&G Centre Court in Ohio was ready for it on Monday. But the Cincinnati Open final lasted barely 20 minutes as top-ranked Jannik Sinner was forced to retire due to illness in the first set, handing Carlos Alcaraz his maiden Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati.

It was their fourth meeting in a final this season, and the first since Wimbledon in early July. Sinner committed nine unforced errors to fall 0-5 behind before taking a medical timeout with an ice pack on his head. Moments later, he made the decision to retire.

Devastated at being forced to end his title defence, Sinner broke down in tears as physios attended to him. He then shook hands with Alcaraz and the umpire,...