On the promising and worrying parts of Alcaraz’s semifinal performance, where he admitted, “I started thinking about how he’s feeling, instead of focusing on myself."

Alexander squandered game points in the first game of the second set and experienced another break. Zverev pulled it back in the next one, leveling the score at 1-1 but sitting powerless on the court while his rival was changing his shirt.

Now into his 28th tour-level final, Sinner is now set to face his fierce rival Carlos Alcaraz in the final in Cincinnati, making it the third final in a row in three months between the two players. ,

Carlos Alcaraz knows that he risked more than expected against Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals of the 'Cincinnati Open', but he overcame the difficulties and qualified for the semifinals in Ohio also thanks to some gifts from the Russian player in the decisive moment of the challenge.

How to watch today's Alcaraz vs. Rublev quarterfinal matchup at the Cincinnati Open as both players look to win their first titles.

Should Alcaraz get through Zverev, he will either have another rendition of his superb rivalry with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner or a date with up-and-comer Térence Atmane in the final, whose immaculate run at Cincinnati has been one of the top stories across the sport.

The second spot in the 2025 Cincinnati Open men’s singles final is on the line Saturday night, as No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz battles No. 3 Alexander Zverev.

Veteran journalist Chris Clarey has spent over three decades covering tennis for publications like The New York Times.