Jannik Sinner vs Mariano Navone LIVE: World No 1 wins on return at Italian Open

“For me it helped (to have an extra few days to prepare,” Sinner told Sky Sports. “When you come to a tournament, the atmosphere is different so it helped me.

“Especially on Centre Court, in night session, it’s an amazing feeling and a special feeling and I never take things for granted. I’m just happy to be back.”

“Amazing feeling, I’ve waited quite a long for this moment,” Sinner told Sky Sports. “I am very happy to be back.

“It’s very hard to have the right feedback when you don’t have matches, but that’s exactly what I need. Now I think the best practice is the match itself so I’m very happy about that.

“I’m very happy about the win today. It has been very difficult. He’s such a great player, especially on this surface. I tried to move around the ball, at times it went very well but it could have been better.

“But in any case it doesn’t matter about the result. Today has been a remarkable day for so I’m very happy.”

The capacity crowd in Rome weren’t exactly vociferous for Jannik Sinner’s return – they seemed about as nervous as he was.

But as he sealed the victory, Centre Court erupted.

Maybe not the perfect performance, but Sinner is back with a win.

That’s how you finish it!

Sinner piledrives an ace through Navone to secure victory on his return!

Massive first serve from Sinner is met by a stretched return by Navone which flies long.

Navone responds with a much more ferocious return on Sinner’s next serve. The Italian goes to the net but can’t keep his volley in front of the bassline.

Sinner bounces back by forcing Navone into another long forehand – but with an opportunity at match point, he completely fluffs a volley, giving Navone the chance to fire cross-court and take it to 30-30.

Under pressure, Sinner keeps it steady as his forehand is met with a third wayward shot from Navone.

Navone has his head up and is playing Sinner into some dangerous waters here.

But after losing the first point, Sinner manages to overcome the pressure and takes control of the game.

A massive smash gives him a break point at 30-40, and he makes no mistake!

It’s a third break in a row – and Sinner will serve for the match!

Well, Navone is making this interesting!

He goes 0-30 up off the back of being broken and could be about to bite right back.

However, Sinner plays a superb low volley from close to reduce the deficit, before tying the game with a fantastic forehand.

Navone responds by counter-punching his way through to give himself a break point.

And he breaks back! Despite being played from side-to-side, he stays alive and Sinner nets!

Really strong clay-court work from Navone to dispatch a heavy forehand for advantage.

But Sinner bites back, turning aggressor and drilling a cross-court backhand past Navone to properly wake the crowd back up.

The home favourite then gets two more break point chances, but fluffs them both.

As he works Navone from corner to corner, a third arises as the Argentine clips the net. Can Sinner make the return this time?

He does! Navone goes long and Sinner gets the break in the second!

Navone has had his chances to break Sinner in this set, and despite his bouncy exterior, frustration might be beginning to set in.

Another unforced error sees him play into the net to start things off. He grows into the game a bit more but is getting played from side-to-side from Sinner.

With the score at 30-30, Sinner fires a bold shot down the line that comes off, giving him an opportunity to break.

This could be massive… but the chance goes awry! Sinner nets and we’re heading to deuce.