Game, set and match for Stone

much more like a caricature than his female co-star.

But the issue of gender equality is a timely one and Beaufoy’s script plays on many of the stories – particularly to do with Hollywood pay disparities – that have hit headlines in recent times.

The rivalry between King and Riggs starts out rather playful but develops into something altogether different as their competitive juices flow, tempered by their own private lives.

The peek behind the curtain at these personal goings-on gives Andrea Riseborough (Marilyn Barnett) and Elisabeth Shue (Priscilla Riggs) a chance to shine as King’s love interest and Riggs’ beleaguered wife respectively.

The on-point cast is rounded off by the likes of Sarah Silverman (Gladys Heldman), Bill Pullman (Jack Kramer) and Alan Cumming (Cuthbert ‘Ted’ Tinling), with the Scot in his highest profile turn since 2010’s Burlesque.

As for the engrossing climactic showdown itself, Dayton and Faris have a whale of a time framing the engrossing face-off; each ball struck feels like it matters and we’re right there to hear every racket swing and glancing blow to the net.

Whether it will surprise depends on your knowledge of the outcome but there’s undoubtedly a euphoric joy coming out of the way the film gets wrapped up.

Battle of the Sexes has its issues, not least Carell’s difficult role, and falls short of the co-directors’ previous hits, but holds court throughout with a well-timed story of gender inequality being challenged head-on.