Sunday’s schedule in Ohio features both semi-finals in the men’s singles draw, with top seed and No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Jannik Sinner set to take on Alexander Zverev in a blockbuster opening last-four clash. The pair will take to Cincinnati’s centre court after the conclusion of the second women’s singles semi-final between Jessica Pegula and Paula Badosa, which is currently into a deciding set.
Home hope Frances Tiafoe takes on 15th seed Holger Rune in the other men’s singles semi-final, a match which remains scheduled for not before 6 p.m. local time. In the men's doubles, Americans Mackenzie McDonald and Alex Michelsen returned to court after the rain leading top seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6(8), 5-6 on P&G Grandstand.
Later, fourth seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic will play Ivan Dodig and Jamie Murray in the second semi-final.
Jannik Sinner’s Cincinnati Open Semifinal Win
The tight victory took more than three hours not including a rain interruption.
Sinner saved two Zverev set points and won the opener on his own third chance, only to fall in the second set as he lost an early break and was broken again in the 12th game as he sent an overhead into the net.
The third set went into a tiebreaker with Sinner taking a 5-2 lead and triumphing on his second match point.
Sinner’s Match Analysis and Future Outlook
“It was a tough match, a very exciting match,” the Italian said. “We played in different conditions: sunny, rain and then night.
“There was a lot of tension for both of us. I'm very happy with my performance and happy to be in the final.”
Sinner, who won his last title on grass in Halle two months ago, will play a rare Monday final against the winner from Frances Tiafoe and Danish 15th seed Holger Rune.
“I had to play with my gut, I feel that is my strength,” the 23-year-old said. “We had some ups and downs over three hours.”
“I couldn't have played a better match than this to prepare,” he said, looking ahead to the start of the US Open in eight days.
The player who has suffered recently with a hip problem, illness and the tonsillitis which forced him to skip the Olympics, said he needs to keep up his fitness.
“If I'm going to win bigger matches, I have to be more in shape. Today I stayed mentally strong; I'm proud of that.”
Sinner will be playing in his fifth career Masters 1000 final.
A Look at the Key Moments
Rain Delay
Sinner’s Third Set Triumph
The third set went into a tiebreaker with Sinner taking a 5-2 lead and triumphing on his second match point.
Sinner’s Match Analysis
“It was a tough match, a very exciting match,” the Italian said. “We played in different conditions: sunny, rain and then night.
“There was a lot of tension for both of us. I'm very happy with my performance and happy to be in the final.”
Sinner’s Final Thoughts on His Performance
“I had to play with my gut, I feel that is my strength,” the 23-year-old said. “We had some ups and downs over three hours.”
“I couldn't have played a better match than this to prepare,” he said, looking ahead to the start of the US Open in eight days.
Sinner will be playing in his fifth career Masters 1000 final.
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