A couple of weeks in Rome that started with the return of the prodigal son and then took in the election of a new Pope will have a fittingly blockbuster ending: the world’s two best male tennis players facing off for the Italian Open title.

Analyzing the challenge for 'Sky Sports', former British ace Tim Henman confessed that Paul should have had more courage: ”I wonder because he was so successful in the first set, winning it 6-1, he really did not come forward much at all. He stayed back in the rallies and was patient and if anything waited for unforced errors from Sinner.”

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will face each other for the first time in a Masters 1000 final. The Rome tournament will pit the two best players in the world against each other in the last huge event before Roland Garros, which will be the top goal of both at this stage of the season.