WATCH Australia's Alexei Popyrin take on world No.1 Jannik Sinner at the Italian Open LIVE in Australia on beIN SPORTS | Subscribe here

It was 1.00am Rome time when Popyrin wrapped up his win, defeating Czech Mensik 6-3 2-6 6-4 in a little more than two hours.

Mensik was a clear favourite heading into the clash, but fluffed his chance at facing Sinner and potentially beating him again having upset the Italian superstar in Doha earlier this year.

But Australian Popyrin was simply too good, and has earned his own chance to face Sinner in the third round.

The 26-year-old has also beaten Sinner before, and it was on clay at the Madrid Masters in 2021, when the Australian prevailed over the Italian in straight sets 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.

But Sinner has soared in the five years since and now sits on top of the world, holding a 2-1 head-to-head over Popyrin after knocking him out of the US Open last year and beating him in Doha in 2026 before going down to Mensik.

Popyrin was coming off the back of beating another Italian home hope, Matteo Berrenttini, who he upset in the first round, and he held on to that form to stun Mensik.

The Australian appears to be full of confidence, and will be hoping to spring another big surprise in Rome if Sinner is not 100 per cent focused.

But the Australian will face a world No.1 backed by a vocal crowd on his home court, and no doubt understands winning will be far from easy.