Alexander Zverev's bid for a Cincinnati Open title came to an abrupt and unsettling halt in the semi-finals against Carlos Alcaraz, as the German athlete battled dizziness and physical struggles amidst high temperatures. Alcaraz defeated Zverev in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, but the match was overshadowed by Zverev's visible discomfort and a medical timeout.
Zverev, the world No. 3, admitted that he wasn't feeling well even before the match against Alcaraz. He had experienced a dizzy spell and breathing problems during his quarter-final victory over Ben Shelton. Despite securing a dominant win against Shelton, 6-2, 6-2, in just 77 minutes, Zverev needed a medical timeout during that match, which raised concerns about his fitness for the rest of the tournament.
"I'm not feeling too great right now," Zverev confessed after the Shelton match. "I have a day to get fresh and hopefully feel 100 per cent again. We will see. I'm not sure what happened. I stepped onto the court today and felt the best in a few months. I was feeling the ball incredibly well from both sides. But I started feeling not so great at the end of the opening set, and things got progressively worse. I will do everything to be at my best tomorrow".
The semi-final clash with Alcaraz was filled with palpable tension from the start, especially after a delay due to a wet court. Zverev's struggles became more apparent as the match wore on. Just when it seemed like Zverev was gaining control, he called for the medical staff, citing that he felt unwell and possibly dizzy due to the Cincinnati heat. Although he managed to hold his serve, his lack of energy and difficulty in exchanges were evident.
Alcaraz acknowledged Zverev's condition after the match. "It's never easy playing against someone you know is not 100 percent," Alcaraz said. He admitted that he began to focus on Zverev's well-being rather than his own game: "And then my focus, I was thinking about how he's feeling, besides focusing on myself and playing good tennis. It was a really difficult situation for me and I just wish him all the best". Alcaraz also wrote on the camera lens, "Happy for the final but feeling bad for Sascha. Wish you all the best".
Despite Zverev's physical struggles, Alcaraz remained focused. Alcaraz secured the first set by showcasing a high level of play, approaching the net repeatedly, and confidently executing drop shots. Under the guidance of his team, Alcaraz seized opportunities to break, ultimately winning the match in one hour and 45 minutes. Alcaraz admitted that he lost focus at times, but was proud he "stayed strong mentally".
With the win, Alcaraz advanced to the Cincinnati Open final to face Jannik Sinner, setting up their fourth final match of 2025. Meanwhile, Zverev's health is a concern as he prepares for the US Open. This was the second night in a row where he struggled with breathing and movement, prompting concerns about his overall condition.
