Sinner’s Cincinnati Title marred by past drug test; Sabalenka in top form with Cincy win
World No. 1 Italian Jannik Sinner continued his status as the world’s best singles player with a straight sets win the Western & Southern Open Final in Cincinnati. Sinner defeated American Francis Tiafoe (7-6) (6-2). For Sinner, it is his third Masters 1000 victory, to couple his Australian Open title to begin the year.
Sinner’s path to the title, involved two difficult three set encounters against Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev. Sinner’s moment basking in Cincy glory was marred when word came from the International Tennis Integrity Agency that Sinner had tested positive in March for an anabolic steroid. The ITIA claimed the banned substance came from a massage unintentionally.
Sinner wrote on social media, “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me…I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA’s antidoping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance.”
Sinner’s positive test came during Indian Wells where Sinner tested positive for clostebol, a banned steroid. Eight days later Sinner tested positive again, after his Indian Wells run was over. Sinner was suspended unannounced and forfeited his $325,000 winnings and 400 ranking points from Indian Wells.
An independent panel deemed “a finding of No Fault or Negligence applied in the case, resulting in no period of ineligibility.”
The ATP said, “We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner’s part…We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the faces under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, which has allowed him to continue competing.”
Sinner hopes to pursue another grand slam title next week at the US Open
Western & Southern Open Headlines:
Controversial stretch for umpire Greg Allensworth
Shapovalov: No umpire has had himself involved in more controversy than Greg Allensworth. Allensworth in the Washington Open defaulted Denis Shapovalov in a third set tiebreaker on match point after the lefthander threw his racquet and appeared to curse at a fan. This cost the Canadian the match against American Ben Shelton. Shapolalov appealed the disqualification and was able to retain his ranking points and prize money from DC.
Fritz: Controversy only continued a few weeks later in Cincinnati at the Western & Southern Open in a match between Americans Brandon Nakashima and Taylor Fritz. In the midst of a second set rally, one of Nakashima’s groundstrokes appeared long, with automated line calling in effect and the system not making a call, the rally continued before Allensworth stopped the point, and called a let. With the system not making a call, the replay displayed Nakashima’s shot to be out. Allensworth, ruled since the rally continued the point would have to be replayed. Allensworth went on to say if Fritz would have stopped the point, tournament officials could check to see if the shot was out. Fritz contested saying why he would need to stop a rally if there was electric line calling. Fritz was able to win the replayed point, but would lose the match.
Auger-Aliassime: In the round of 16, Brit Jack Draper and Feliz Auger-Aliassime late in a third set encounter saw Allensworth in more controversy. On match point for Draper, a half volley from the Brit appeared to have bounced twice on Draper’s side before the half volley. Allensworth ruled the Draper shot was clean, awarding the point and match to Draper. Auger-Aliassime astonished by the call, explained how the ball hit twice on Draper’s side. Replay appeared to confirm FAA’s case, the ball did bounce twice.
Allensworth is one of a few Gold Badge Umpries, who tend to officiate Grand Slams and major tournaments. For one of the well respected umpires on tour, a rough week has marred his past few weeks of officiating.
Alcaraz throws rare tantrum; bounced by Monfils: Carlos Alcaraz has risen to stardom in overnight proportions. A four-time major winner, including winning the Channel Slam of the French Open and Wimbledon, the first to do it since Novak Djokovic in 2021. In his second-round match of Cincinnati, Alcaraz was given all he could handle by veteran Gael Monfils. With play suspended due to rain in a second set tiebreaker, Alcaraz was a few points away from advancing to the third round. The delay forced the players to finish the match the following morning, where Monfils won the second set tiebreaker and carried momentum in the third set. After Monfils had taken a 3-1 lead in the third set, Alcaraz vented in a way that has never been seen before, he smashed his racquet. The outburst did not help as Monfils won the match. Alcaraz would write a statement on social media afterward saying, “I want to apologize for my attitude yesterday, it was not good and that should not happen on court. I’m human, the nerves had accumulated and sometimes it’s very tough to control when there is that tension. I will work so that it doesn’t happen again. Now it’s time to think about NYC!”
Tiafoe has much needed performance: American Francis Tiafoe had struggled recently, but embarked on a wild tournament. After quality straight set wins against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Bronze Medalist Lorenzo Musetti, Tiafoe survived a third set tiebraker against Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka. In the quarterfinals, Tiafoe advanced after Hubert Hurkacz was forced to retire after the first set. In the semifinals, Tiafoe rallied from a 5-2 third set deficit while saving two match points to knock out Holger Rune in a third set tiebreaker. Although Tiafoe fell short against Jannik Sinner in the final, the run by Tiafoe provides a much-needed tournament performance from one of America’s most dynamic tennis players.
Sabalenka rolls in Cincinnati: Aryna Sabalenka did not lose a single set en route to winning the women’s singles for Cincinnati. Sabalenka with her tournament victory overtook Coco Gauff for No. 2 in the world today. Sabalenka saw her toughest test in the semifinals against World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, converting on her tenth match point to advance to the championship match. In the final, Sabalenka cruised past Jessica Pegula (6-3) (7-5) to win her sixth 1000 level tournament. Sabalenka was a finalist in the US Open last year to Coco Gauff.
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