Carlos Alcaraz won the ATP Cincinnati Open title on Monday after defending champion Jannik Sinner retired due to illness during the first set. World number one Sinner came into the final feeling poorly and lost the first seven points of the match played in 30 degrees Celsius summer heat. 

Alcaraz is the third Spaniard to win the pre-US Open title here after Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal. Sinner will now focus on recovery with the US Open starting on Sunday. The Italian is due to take part in the US Open's revamped mixed doubles on Tuesday, but his participation in that draw is now in doubt. 

"I'm super-super sorry to disappoint you," Sinner said at the trophy ceremony to fans. "I was not feeling great yesterday but I thought it would go away overnight. "I tried to make it at least a small match but I could not handle more." The defending champion, who turned 24 last Saturday, added: "Some of you (fans) had to (miss) work or do other things today, so I'm really sorry.