Mochizuki enjoys centre stage but Sinner marches on

By the latter stages of the second set in his first-ever meeting with the best player in the world, Shintaro Mochizuki’s kitchen sink had already been tossed into the arena.

- Tumaini Carayol

The Japanese qualifier twice found himself down a break point while trailing 3-4, with Jannik Sinner prowling as he tried to snatch the decisive break.

Mochizuki saved the first break point by throwing down a cunning serve and volley, ending it with a majestic high backhand volley winner, then he scuppered Sinner’s second chance with two more beautiful volleys in succession. He somehow survived the breathless 12-minute service game to keep himself in contention.

The headline from this match is another confidence-boosting victory for Sinner, who marched into the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 7-6 (0), 6-3 victory, his momentum increasing. The tension he betrayed in his narrow five-set opening round win against Miomir Kecmanovic already feels like a long time ago. He continues to serve at such a high level and he is striking the ball with greater cleanliness off the ground.

For those watching, perhaps the most prevalent emotion at the end of this match was the utter joy of seeing such a resourceful, courageous opponent who has been the protagonist of one of the most endearing stories of this tournament so far. Standing at a very slight 5ft 9in, Mochizuki is one of the smallest players in a sport where power has become such an essential attribute.