R. Jodar beat A. Fils 7-6, 6-3 in Montreal, settling a tight opener in a tie-break before seizing control of the second set. His three breaks in the final set proved decisive on the scoreboard.
Jodar edged the first set without a break of serve. In the second, he struck first at 2-1, Fils hit back immediately at 2-2, and Jodar then broke again at 4-3 before closing out the match with another break at 6-3.
The key number was Jodar's first serve: 67% in and 73% won on it, helping him take eight of ten service games. Fils hit six aces, but Jodar's return work created the breaks that turned the match.