Matsuoka H. beat Matsuda K. 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets at the Astana Men Singles, backed by a serving day that never let Matsuda settle. He put 76% of first serves in and won 78% of those points, saving two of the three break points he faced.
Matsuoka made the first move by breaking in game 4 of the opener, which proved enough to take it 6-3. In the second set, Matsuda answered by breaking in game 2 for a 2-0 lead, but Matsuoka broke back in game 5 and then struck decisively in game 9 to complete a 6-4 win.
The most telling number was Matsuoka's first serve: he won 29 of 37 points behind it and hit four aces to Matsuda's two. Matsuda could manage only 21% return points on that delivery, leaving him little chance to stop the momentum.