Alex de Minaur's dream of reaching the ATP Finals has quickly descended into familiar nightmare territory against his nemesis, world No.1 Jannik Sinner, in the Italian's Turin den.
De Minaur, the first Australian at the season-ending men's championship for 20 years since Lleyton Hewitt, once again couldn't cope with the power and class of the Australian Open and US Open champion, succumbing 6-3 6-4 on his Finals debut at the Inalpi Arena on Sunday night (Monday AEDT).
Roared on by fervent home support, Sinner continued his stranglehold over the Sydneysider, outplaying him for the eighth time out of eight.