It felt like tennis had delivered the perfect script—world No. 1 Jannik Sinner versus world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in a Masters 1000 final. Both had torn through the draw in Cincinnati, barely breaking a sweat, setting up the dream clash fans had been waiting for.

Jannik Sinner, the defending US Open champion, recently suffered a viral illness during the Cincinnati Open final. While he has mostly recovered, his participation in the US Open remains uncertain, adding intrigue to his title defense.

Jannik Sinner had to retire last Monday from the final of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 at the end of the fifth game. The Italian returned to training last Thursday in New York, alon

Jannik Sinner’s recovery from physical and psychological stress was outlined, easing doubts over his US Open participation after the Cincinnati setback.

While Sinner noticed the positives in a day's break before the finals under the new 12-day structure, the 24-year-old explained the flipsides.