The 360 version has a huge advantage over the identically gorgeous and fun PS3 version - well-implemented online play. Whether you're into singles or doubles, the game performs just fine, and the consistently advantageous view (you're always on the lower court, since each player is looking at his or her own screen) makes it a pleasure. There are ranked and unranked matches, and  VT.TV mode, which lets you peek in on the matches of top-ranked players. All in all, it's robust and enjoyable, and noses the 360 version solidly ahead of the PS3 offering.

The speed of the action is aided by the control system, a leftover from the original Virtua Tennis on Dreamcast. You don’t mess with perfection, and the beautiful simplicity of topspin, slice and lobbing, holding the button down to get the desired power and directing the shot via the analog stick still works amazingly well.

Out on court, the only real change is the improved opposition - just when you think you’ve dispatched a winner, your rival will launch into a full-length lunge, somehow keeping the rally going. With points lasting that bit longer, more tactics come into play as you spray shots around to try and move your competitor out of position - which only adds to the satisfaction when you finally unleash a thunderous winner.

Another improvement is the increased focus on the way different surfaces play. Grass courts have an accurate low bounce, making serve and volley tactics a much better bet than strokes from the baseline. In contrast, the clay courts are bouncy like a castle, producing longer rallies.