As the 2025 Cincinnati Open begins to wind down, we would find out on Saturday which two men would battle on Monday for the opportunity to hoist the Rookwood Trophy. The first semifinal match would feature world #1 and defending Cincinnati Open men's singles champion Jannik Sinner of Italy facing off against qualifier and the #136 ranked player Terence Atmane of France.
Sinner's path to this match after a 1st round bye saw him defeat Columbia's Daniel Elahi Galan in the 2nd round, Gabriel Diallo of Canada in the 3rd, Adrian Mannarino of France in the round of 16, and Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals.
Atmane didn't have an easier path having to go through Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka in the 1st round, Flavio Cobolli of Italy in the 2nd, Brazil's Joao Fonseca in the 3rd, American Taylor Fritz in the round of 16, and Holger Rune of Denmark in the quarterfinal.
On paper this match was a mismatch. The #1 player in the world taking on a qualifier ranked #136. In reality this match started with neither player taking command. Both served 6 games, both held for 6 games. In the tiebreaker, Sinner would jump out to a lead and take the 1st set.
The turning point came at 2-1 in the second set. With Atmane serving, Sinner would get the first break of the match. After he would hold serve the rest of the way, and break Atmane in the final game to win the 2nd set and the match.
Jannik Sinner defeats Terence Atmane 7-6(4),6-2.
Sinner heads to the tournament final on Monday where he awaits the winner of the Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev match being played this evening.
After the match Terence Atmane spoke with the media.