This season, and for the first time since 2015, the semifinals in Cincinnati featured all Top-3 players: world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, and No. 3 Alexander Zverev at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
The two top seeds, who had taken the tennis world by storm, recorded straight-set triumphs on Saturday, locking up their fourth meeting on tour in a championship match this season, adding a new chapter to their fascinating “Sincaraz” rivalry for supremacy.
The first semifinal saw Sinner outplay Terence Atmane in straight sets, advancing to his 28th tour-level final on Saturday without dropping a set all tournament.
It was their first meeting on tour between the two young men, and despite losing to the reigning champion, the Frenchman ended his dream run at the event with a competitive performance against a ruthless adversary.
Atmane, 23, who came through qualifying, made it to his maiden Masters 1000 semifinal, stunning two Top 10 players in the process; a career achievement that will see him crack into the top 100 for the first time on Monday.
Meanwhile, the other semifinal featured Alcaraz against Zverev.
The Spaniard recorded a straightforward win over the German player, who struggled physically throughout the second set.
For his part, the 22-year-old, who leads the tour with 53 wins, will aim to claim his sixth title this season, the first in Cincinnati.
A Trip down Memory Lane
Back in 2015, the Cincinnati semifinals featured former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, No.2 Andy Murray, and No. 3 Rogerer Federer.
Without having his serve broken, Federer took down Murray with a 6-4, 7-6(8-6) win to earn his spot in the final after a fierce encounter.
The Swiss legend would next play Djokovic in the final, looking to become the first man to complete the set of all nine Masters titles at the tournament that year.
However, at the age of 34, Federer produced a flawless display to win a record seventh Cincinnati title, ending the Belgrade-born hopes.
The Serbian did not wait long to avenge his loss, and when they met again at the US Open title match, he clinched a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory for the men’s singles trophy, grabbing his 10th career Grand Slam.
Ten years later, the 38-year-old Olympic gold medalist is preparing to chase a record extending 25th major in New York City, starting his quest next week.
The last man standing of the “Big 3” will attempt once again to challenge the talents of a new era of tennis.
Together, Sinner and Alcaraz have split all majors between 2024 and 2025, with the US Open just around the corner.
The Italian launched his season by retaining the Australian Open title, edging Zverev in the final; last July, he overpowered Alcaraz to lift his maiden Wimbledon trophy.
In between, the Murcia native defended his Roland-Garros title in a memorable five-set match against Sinner.
The 24-year-old Italian captured his first US Open last season over American Taylor Fritz, eager to repeat the feat this year.