It’s happening again—and the tennis world will be watching. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are set to face off in the final of the 2025 Cincinnati Open, marking the latest chapter in what’s quickly becoming one of the defining rivalries of this era.
If it feels like these two are meeting in every major final, you’re not imagining things. This will be their fourth consecutive final at a significant tournament where both have competed. The Cincinnati clash is also their second ATP Masters 1000 final during that run, the other two being Grand Slam title matches.
Sinner’s Dominant Path to the Final
Sinner has looked untouchable throughout the week in Cincinnati. The Italian reached the final without dropping a single set, defeating Daniel Elahi Galán, Gabriel Diallo, Adrian Mannarino, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Terence Atmane with clinical efficiency. Along the way, he even benefited from a mid-match retirement.
Now riding a nine-match winning streak at this event, Sinner is also the defending champion, and he’s showing every sign of repeating his 2024 success.
Alcaraz Battles Through
Alcaraz, by contrast, has taken a more turbulent path. The Spaniard dropped sets in his opener against Damir Dzumhur and again in a tough quarterfinal clash with Andrey Rublev. He also had to overcome young challengers Hamad Medjedovic and Luca Nardi along the way before dispatching an unfit Alexander Zverev in the semis.
While Alcaraz has never lifted the Cincinnati trophy, he came agonizingly close in 2023, when he held a championship point in an epic final against Novak Djokovic. That history adds further intrigue to Sunday’s final.
Head-to-Head: Alcaraz Leads, But Sinner Closing In
This will be the 14th official meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz. The Spaniard currently leads their head-to-head 8–5, although the dynamic has shifted in recent months.
Their rivalry began at the Challenger level in Alicante, where Alcaraz won in three sets. They’ve since clashed across nearly every surface and stage, from ATP 250s to Grand Slam finals. They even played an exhibition in Saudi Arabia, which Sinner won in three sets.
While Sinner once held a 4–3 edge, Alcaraz rattled off five consecutive wins to lead 8–4. But Sinner’s victory in the 2025 Wimbledon final—a four-set win on grass where he outplayed the favorite—may have marked a turning point. That triumph narrowed the gap to 5–8 and shifted momentum heading into this Cincinnati showdown.
Surface Stats & Finals Record
- Hard Courts: Alcaraz leads 5–2
- Finals: Alcaraz leads 3–2
- Current Streak: Sinner won their most recent meeting (Wimbledon 2025)
With form on Sinner’s side and history favoring Alcaraz on this surface, the 2025 Cincinnati Open final is perfectly poised—experience vs momentum, power vs precision, and a rivalry that only continues to grow in stature.
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