Tim Loof edged out M. Zhukov 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 in Guangzhou, with his serve the difference: 22 aces to seven and only two double faults against five. The decisive blow came late, when Loof broke twice in the third set after neither player had managed a break in the opener.
The first set went to a tiebreak, which Loof took, having landed 74% of first serves and lost just one point behind his second delivery (10/11). Zhukov hit back in the second, converting the lone break point of that set in game 12 to close it out 7-5. In the decider Loof broke in game seven for 4-3 and again in game nine to seal it at 6-3.
The raw totals were close — Zhukov actually won more service points across the match (70 to 68) and saved four of four break points in the third set on his own serve — but Loof's returning told: 32 receiver points won to 24, including 12 in the final set alone.