Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner entertain sell-out crowd in South Korea

Played eight days before the season's first Grand Slam begins in Melbourne, the sell-out event marked the first appearance of the year for both players.

The Spanish world number one came through a competitive but playful encounter with a 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Italy's world number two in front of 12,000 spectators in Incheon.

Although officially an exhibition, the match was keenly contested and lasted one hour and 47 minutes, underlining the high level maintained by both players despite the relaxed setting.

The tone, however, was not entirely serious. Alcaraz and Sinner delighted the crowd with a series of trick shots, including audacious efforts played between the legs, and repeatedly interacted with spectators by making heart gestures towards the stands.

The enthusiastic crowd responded throughout, cheering loudly and embracing the spectacle as much as the tennis itself.

Neither Alcaraz nor Sinner is scheduled to compete again before the Australian Open, where Sinner will arrive as the defending two-time champion.

South Korean organisers did not disclose how much the players earned for the exhibition. However, reports in Italy have suggested that each player may have received more than two million dollars for their appearance. 

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