Sinner 2-2 de Minaur * (*denotes current server)

de Minaur slams down an ACE to go 15-0 up. The crowd come to life as Sinner forces his opponent to punch long to take it to 15-30. A battle of the backhand slices sees Sinner get two break points of his own. Sublime! A cross court passing shot whistles past the approaching de Minaur and lands an inch inside the tramline. Sinner breaks back immediately and gives it the old ‘Henmania’ mini fist pump.

*Sinner 1-2 de Minaur

Rallies elongating, there’s been plenty of debate about the weight of the balls this year and how they are conducive to even longer rallies. Time for Sinner to feel some pressure as de Minaur gets him to 30-30 and then forces the error to carve out the first break point of the night! He’s got it, Sinner approaches the net but plonks a backhand into the tramline. de Minaur has an early break! Game on.

Sinner 1-1 de Minaur*

de Minaur feels the heat of Sinner’s groundstrokes straight away and fluffs a backhand slice long. Nervy stuff from the Aussie who wriggles off the 30-30 hook with an ace and then breathes a sigh of relief as Sinner slams a backhand into the net cord. He’s on the board.

First Set: *Sinner 1-0 de Minaur *Denotes server

Sinner rattles off his first game to love with a couple of big serves and short rallies. A confident start from the home man. Over to you Alex…

We’ll have some warm ups and then it’ll be game time. 23 year old Sinner is cranking up his lissom limbs in a blue polo shirt and white baseball hat. 25 year old de Minaur is in blue too but he’s got a navy cap on backwards as is his wont. The Aussie is a good three inches shorter than the 6ft3in Sinner who is about to put his impressive wingspan to good use by serving first. Let’s play!

The fantastically named Renaud Lichtenstein is umpiring this evening’s match and there’s a dance show with some heavy strobing taking place on court. The tv screens now show a bouncing tennis ball complete with heart beat sound effect booming around the stadium. It’s all very razzle dazzle.

Here are the players! They head out on court separately, de Minaur is warmly received and Sinner strolls on to court, across a massive picture of his own face to huge cheers and applause.

The smartest dressed painter and decorators in Turin:

The stadium is bathed in the sort of blue light that makes it look like a CSI unit are on the hunt for some incriminating forensics. I’m half expecting Taggart to poke his head out and give a rollocking to a chap in a white boiler suit. The players are due out any moment.

How it works: There are two groups of four in the round robin style tournament, with the semi-finals and final taking place next Saturday and Sunday.

Sinner’s group includes Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, American Taylor Fritz and Australian debutant Alex de Minaur.

Fritz got the better of a hot-headed and racket totalling Medvedev in straight sets earlier on:

The other group will see 2024 French Open and Wimbledon champ Carlos Alcaraz up against Germany’s Alexander Zverev, Norway’s Casper Ruud and Russia’s Andrey Rublev.

I’ve been enjoying the Paul Mescal-ification of the pre promo. Look at these fellas. Work it. That’s before we get to the short shorts.

Preamble