MASON, Ohio: Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet Sunday for the Western & Southern Open in a rematch of their Wimbledon final.
The top-ranked Alcaraz erased a match point in the second set and rallied past unseeded Hubert Hurkacz 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the first men’s semifinal Saturday.
Then, No. 2 Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev, the 2021 tournament champ, 7-6 (5), 7-5 to earn a shot at his third title in the US Open tuneup.
Alcaraz won six straight points in the second-set tiebreaker to reach his eighth final of the season. He beat Djokovic last month at Wimbledon to win his second major title and deny the 36-year-old Djokovic his 23rd.
Alcaraz, 20, is the youngest Cincinnati finalist since 19-year-old Pete Sampras in 1991. He is trying to become the youngest champion since Boris Becker won at 17 in 1985.
Despite going to a third set in each of his four matches this week, Alcaraz says he’ll be ready for the final.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m playing third sets or long matches, I’m recovering really well,” Alcaraz said. “I feel like I’m going to play the first match of the tournament. I feel great.”
Last week in Toronto, Alcaraz needed two tiebreakers to beat Hurkacz after losing the first set.
“Playing against Hubert is always tough,” Alcaraz said, “We played until the final ball. I was really happy to get that win today. He’s one of the best servers in the tour.”
Djokovic, 36, is the oldest Cincinnati finalist in the professional era, dating to 1968, surpassing 35-year old Ken Rosewell in 1970.
Alcaraz and Djokovic meet Sunday in a rematch of the Wimbledon final
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Alcaraz and Djokovic meet Sunday in a rematch of the Wimbledon final
- The top-ranked Alcaraz rallied past unseeded Hubert Hurkacz 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the first men’s semifinal Saturday
- No. 2 Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev 7-6 (5), 7-5 to earn a shot at his third title in the US Open tuneup
Rising Turkish and Indonesian stars awarded wildcards for 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- Zeynep Sonmez and Janice Tjen add further international depth to elite WTA 500 field taking part from Jan. 31- Feb. 7 at Zayed Sports City
- Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, is in good form having qualified for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, where she defeated 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round
ABU DHABI: The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has confirmed rising Turkish star Zeynep Sonmez and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen as wildcard entries for the 2026 tournament, adding further global representation to the growing field for the WTA 500 event from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7.
Both players arrive in Abu Dhabi with strong international followings and increasing momentum on the professional circuit, underlining the tournament’s reputation as a platform where emerging talent from across the world competes alongside established stars on one of women’s tennis’ most exciting stages.
Sonmez, ranked 112th in the world, is in particularly hot form having qualified for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, earlier this month before stunning 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round and then falling to Yulia Putintseva in a stormy third round, three-set encounter.
Tjen, already one of Indonesia’s most successful players of the professional era and the current world No. 59, has continued her rise through the international ranks with a series of impressive performances across the WTA circuit.
A second-round loser at the Australian Open, the 23-year-old’s wildcard entry reflects both her growing profile and the increasing strength and visibility of tennis in Southeast Asia, a region that continues to produce new talent and passionate fanbases.
The announcements build on a strong list of early confirmations already revealed for the fourth tournament. Defending champion Belinda Bencic (world No. 10) will return to Abu Dhabi as she bids for a third Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title, having lifted the trophy in both 2023 and 2025.
The Olympic gold medallist remains unbeaten at the tournament and returns following a standout comeback season on the WTA Tour.
Rising star Alexandra Eala has also been confirmed, reinforcing the event’s position as a showcase for the next generation of elite women’s tennis.
Tjen said: “I’m really excited to be coming to Abu Dhabi and grateful for the opportunity to compete in such a high-level tournament. The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is an event I’ve followed closely, and it means a lot to be able to test myself against some of the best players in the world. I’m looking forward to the challenge and to experiencing the atmosphere in front of the fans.”
Sonmez, aged 23, was similarly thrilled to be included in the elite line-up, adding: “Receiving a wildcard for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is a great honor. This tournament brings together an incredible field every year, and I’m proud to represent Turkey on such a prestigious stage, and I’m ready to give my absolute best on the court in Abu Dhabi.”
Nigel Gupta, tournament director at event organizers MARI, said: “Wildcards are an important part of what makes the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open special. They allow us to shine a spotlight on exciting players from different parts of the world while continuing to build a world-class field.
“Janice and Zeyneb both bring strong followings and real competitive quality, and they complement a line-up that already includes established champions and some of the most promising young players on the WTA Tour.”
