As Alcaraz and Sinner collide, suddenly the summer is shining with promise

In Rome's ancient amphitheatre, almost 2,000 years old, dusty, armoured gladiators fought for the public's entertainment.

- Rohit Brijnath

Almost a century ago, another dirt-filled arena was built in that city, where warriors in shorts tussled before animated crowds.

Both sites involved combat under strict rules but with a difference. In the first, lives were lost; in the second, only reputations. The Colosseum was a dangerous place, but the Foro Italico, site of tennis' Italian Open, is no Sunday picnic.

In 1978 the coolest Swede on the planet got so heated he told the umpire he was one thrown coin away from storming off. He was playing local hero Adriano Panatta and currency was raining down. The metal hail stopped, Borg won. "The centre court in Rome," he said, "is the most difficult place to win against an Italian."

Fortunately for Carlos Alcaraz on May 18 the crowd was respectful if one-sided as he duelled Jannik Sinner, the carrot-topped Italian who unleashed a 153kmh forehand in the second game of their final. As weapons go this too could pierce things: not skin but confidence.

Yet on Sunday Alcaraz was impenetrable. He won 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.

Sinner, returning from a three-month drug suspension, met the Pope recently and a choir boy-faced fellow has been absolved by his nation. His semi-final against Tommy Paul attracted five million viewers on Italy's national TV channel and if you consider Italy's population is roughly 60 million then it's clear this fellow is a holy figure.