The Cincinnati Masters 1000 crowned Jannik Sinner
The Cincinnati Masters 1000 crowned Jannik Sinner, who won his fifth title in 2024. The young Italian was not even sure to play in Ohio after the physical difficulties reported in Montreal the previous week. The world number 1 has been slowed down by some physical problems in the last couple of months and had to skip the Paris Olympics because of a tonsillitis, a decision that has sparked several controversies in his country.
The 2024 Australian Open champion did not play his best tennis in Cincinnati and suffered a lot in all the matches, but he showed the world what it means to be a great champion. The 23-year-old from San Candido showed his best performance against Frances Tiafoe in the final, resisting the attack of the American especially in the first set.
Tiafoe had his best tennis in the first set, he had three break points before the tiebreak but could not convert them. Sinner’s greater experience and determination made the difference in the tiebreak, while in the second set the level of the American dropped a lot and Jannik spread.
The Italian ace has won his third Masters 1000 in a young career after triumphs at Toronto 2023 and Miami 2024, ensuring he will remain No.1 at least until the tournament in Beijing in early October. Jannik Sinner has just claimed his fifth title of the season, confirming he is the man to beat in 2024 along with Carlos Alcaraz.
Cincinnati’s prize money creates debate
The Cincinnati tournament has a different prize money between men and women. As has been pointed out on social media, Sinner received 1.049.460 dollars for his win in Cincinnati, while Aryna Sabalenka – who won the same tournament – received only 523.485 dollars.
Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle and now Cincinnati. Jannik Sinner is the first player in 2024 to reach 5 titles in the ATP tour. A record from true number one in the world, which is: the statement obtained in Ohio has taken an important specific value, given the physical conditions with which he approached the beginning of the competition. The Italian has been able to go beyond the difficulties, winning hard matches against opponents like Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev (more in shape this week) and then was able to complete the job in the final beating home player Frances Tiafoe.
The 23-year-old from San Candido has further confirmed his status as the most successful player of the season with the 5 titles on the board, including a Slam. The Italian has thus outperformed all other top players, including the main rival of the year Carlos Alcaraz, stuck at 3 (but all heavy wins, 2 Slams and a Master 1000 in Indian Wells), and the same Matteo Berrettini who brought home three trophies this year. Moreover, the number one in the world is the only athlete to have won more than a Masters 1000 this year: a record that will be confirmed in the next appointments on outdoor and indoor concrete. But first there will be the Us Open to face from the top of the series.
The US Open is about to start
Jannik Sinner has won more titles than any other man on tour this season. The Italian ace has been ruthless in all the finals he played, as they correspond perfectly to the number of successes. No defeat in the final for Sinner in 2024 so far: in his career, Jannik has won 15 out of 20 finals (75%).
“It means a lot to me. Right now, it is challenging to process it. I was very focused throughout the match, winning crucial points, especially in the first set. In the second, I broke him early, and it was easier with my serve. Physically, I feel a bit better today compared to yesterday. I have recovered quite well, even though both of us had tough matches in the semis,” Jannik stated to Tennis Channel.
He is ready for the 2024 US Open: “Yesterday I went to bed very late, there is a lot of work. I could not sleep well at night, but these things happen, and you have to accept them. I knew Frances also finished late, later than me, and you keep these things in mind. Anything can happen in the final, the feelings are more special.
Winning a Masters 1000 means you have played good tennis. I am happy to win the tournament before the US Open, but we will see. It is a similar feeling to Wimbledon when winning Halle. I have had great victories here in Cincinnati; let’s see what I can do in New York. I am relaxed, confident to arrive and adapt to the conditions.”
