India, July 14 -- At the end of an intense rally, Miomir Kecmanovic was positioned at the right place and time to play an easy half-volley into an open court. He was now up by two sets to one against top seed Jannik Sinner.

If not earlier, the alarm bells were definitely ringing and the world No.1 looked on course for another early exit at a Grand Slam.

At the French Open last month, especially with his closest rival and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz deciding not to play due to an injury, Sinner was a strong favourite to win his first claycourt Slam. He was playing like it as well, until, despite leading by two sets and up 5-1 in the third, the wheels came off dramatically in the second round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

Against ...