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Jannik Sinner will play Carlos Alcaraz in a final for the fourth time this season after both players secured straight-sets wins in their Cincinnati Open semi-finals.

Defending champion Sinner, celebrating his 24th birthday, did not face a break point in a 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win over Terence Atmane.

Alcaraz won 6-4 6-3 against an ailing Alexander Zverev, who struggled in the heat and humidity.

The Spaniard has come out on top in two of their three finals this season – in Rome and Roland Garros – while Sinner was victorious at Wimbledon in July.

Alcaraz edged a tight first set against Zverev, breaking the German’s serve just once and saving three break points.

Zverev began to struggle physically in the second and left the court for a medical timeout after three games.

When he returned the 28-year-old, who struggled with his breathing during his quarter-final win over Ben Shelton, was unable to properly move around court.

He was able to finish the match, but was very much going through the motions as Alcaraz won the final 12 points to seal the win.

“It’s never easy playing against someone that you know is not feeling 100%. It’s even tougher when it comes from Sascha, such a great player, such a great person off the court. We have a really good relationship,” said Alcaraz.

“We started well with good rallies, a good level. All of a sudden he felt bad and I was thinking more about how he was feeling instead of playing good tennis.

“It was tough and I just wish him all the best.”

On renewing his rivalry with Sinner, Alcaraz added: “We always bring our best tennis. We raise each other’s level. I’m ready to take the challenge.

Frenchman Atmane, 23, had come through qualifying to reach the main draw and defeated seeds Flavio Cobolli, Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune on his way to meeting four-time major champion Sinner.

As they waited to walk on court, world number 136 Atmane – an avid Pokemon fan – gifted Sinner a trading card from his own collection as a birthday present.

“I was talking to him a little bit in the locker room. He has one of the biggest collections of Pokemon cards, and I’m very lucky that I got one of his ones,” said Sinner.

“It was just a nice moment before a match, we didn’t know each other at all. So, it was a nice moment. The card was a kind of Pikachu. It said 30 damage to itself, so I don’t know if that is good or not.”

That is where the niceties ended, however, and Atmane impressed early on with his serving, including three successive aces in the seventh game.

But a double-fault from the Frenchman brought up the first-set tie-break which Sinner – who had dropped just one of 21 points on his first serve in the opener – dominated.

Sinner struggled at the start of the second set, requiring five game points to hold the opening game, but that was the closest look Atmane got of his serve as the Italian broke for a 3-1 lead and again to seal the match.

It was 200th tour-level victory on hard courts for the world number one and extended his winning streak on the surface to 26 matches.

World number one Jannik Sinner celebrated his 24th birthday with a straight-set victory over Terence Atmane to reach the Cincinnati Open final.

Sinner, the defending champion in Ohio, did not face a break point in a 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win.

It marked a 200th tour-level victory on hard courts for the Italian – who is preparing to defend his title at the US Open later this month – and extended his winning streak on the surface to 26 matches.

He will face Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev in Monday’s final.

“A very tough challenge, every time you play against someone completely new it’s very difficult,” said Sinner.

Frenchman Atmane, 23, had come through qualifying to reach the main draw and defeated seeds Flavio Cobolli, Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune on his way to meeting four-time major champion Sinner.

“Playing against this guy in the later stages of a tournament, the pressure is higher,” Sinner added.

“He has beaten incredible players so I knew I had to be very careful. He has huge potential.”

As they waited to walk on court, world number 136 Atmane – an avid Pokemon fan – gifted Sinner a trading card from his own collection as a birthday present.

That is where the niceties ended, however, and Atmane impressed early on with his serving, including three successive aces in the seventh game.

But a double-fault from the Frenchman brought up the first-set tie-break which Sinner – who had dropped just one of 21 points on his first serve in the opener – dominated.

Manchester United wait on Jadon Sancho to decide future, Everton explore Tyler Dibling alternatives, and Galatasaray make opening bid for Ederson.

Manchester United are ready to accept Roma’s offer of a loan with obligation to buy for England winger Jadon Sancho, but are waiting for the 25-year-old to make a final decision. (Fabrizio Romano)

Everton are actively looking at alternatives to Tyler Dibling, 19, after having three bids – the last of which was about £37m – rejected by Southampton for the England Under-21s winger. (Liverpool Echo)

Galatasaray have made an opening bid of about £8.6m for Manchester City and Brazil goalkeeper Ederson, 31. (Fabrizio Romano)

Chelsea will only sign Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 21, from Manchester United and Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, 23, from RB Leipzig if they can offload two forwards. (Sky Sports)

Arsenal, Manchester United and Napoli are all interested in Paris St-Germain and South Korea midfielder, Lee Kang-in, 24, who is considering leaving the French club for more game time. (Caught Offside)

Roma have agreed a deal to sign Aston Villa and Jamaica winger Leon Bailey, 28, in a loan deal worth £1.7m with a £20m option to buy. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal with Rennes for 23-year-old French striker Arnaud Kalimuendo worth up to £25m. (Telegraph)

Crystal Palace have approached Leicester City about Bilal El Khannouss, 21, with the Morocco midfielder viewed as a potential replacement for Eberechi Eze. (Athletic – subscription required)

Manchester United will revive their efforts to sign Brighton and Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba in 2026 after the Seagulls closed the door on a move this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)

Chelsea have opened talks with Bayern Munich over a proposed sale for France striker Christopher Nkunku, 27. (Mail)

Rangers head coach Russell Martin confirmed the club’s interest in Brentford left-back Jayden Meghoma and says new additions are likely before Tuesday’s Champions League play-off with Club Brugge.

The 19-year-old England youth international worked under Martin at Southampton before he joined Brentford in 2024, followed by a loan spell at Preston last term.

The Rangers head coach confirmed Jefte is likely to leave and with Ridvan Yilmaz yet to play this season and omitted from the European squad, Meghoma could come in on loan to play on the left side of defence.

“Jayden is a player we know from Southampton, spent a year with us as a young boy, training every day, understands the work, top talent, plays for England at all the youth levels,” Martin said.

“Brentford signed him for a lot of money for a teenager, and he went on loan last year in the Championship and did really well.

“So he’s a player we know and like, and hopefully at some point he’ll be a Rangers player and you’ll know that when he is.”

Martin’s side welcome Club Brugge to Glasgow on Tuesday before the return leg on Wednesday 27 August, with the winner reaching the league phase.

The Ibrox outfit have until the day before the first leg to register up to two new players to their European squad and Martin expects that to happen.

“The team will obviously look very different on Tuesday,” Martin said, having made 10 changes for Saturday’s 4-2 Premier Sports Cup victory over Alloa Athletic.

“We’re happy with the players we’ve got, but I think we’ll add before then.”

The scoreline against Alloa was narrower than it could have been – Rangers dominated the game and missed several clear-cut chances – but conceded two sloppy goals as defensive frailties shone through again.

Despite the imperfect performance, Martin was able to take positives after handing opportunities to several new faces, with debuts for Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard and Emmanuel Fernandez – who scored Rangers’ second.

“We scored four goals, should score more but I’m pleased we got guys on the pitch for the first time properly here,” Martin said.

“With 10 changes, it’s not going to look as fluid and clean as it should, but so many of them will be in a better place than they were at the start.

“I’m pleased for Emmanuel Fernandez. He has a lot of potential and good attributes. It’s a good start for him.”

Having secured a quarter-final spot against either Hibernian or Livingston, Martin says Rangers must target the League Cup as an opportunity for silverware.

“Today was frustrating at times, but we’re through and guys got valuable minutes. It’s my job to always want more and demand more,” the former Scotland defender said.