Mochizuki S. edged past Monday J. 6-4, 7-6 in a tight Winnipeg opener, capitalising on four breaks of serve — three in the first set — despite saving only one of four break points faced. The Japanese player won 64 points to 60, relying on clutch returning when it mattered most.
The first set featured five breaks; Mochizuki broke Monday at 1-1, 4-4 and sealed it at 6-4. The second set was a marathon of nine breaks — Mochizuki trailed 2-5 after Monday broke at 0-1, 1-2 and 1-4, then reeled off three straight breaks to level at 5-5. After falling behind 5-6, he broke again to force a tiebreak, which he won to close out the match.
Mochizuki converted 4 of 12 break chances and won 65% of second-serve return points (15/23), offsetting his 50% first-serve rate. Monday, despite landing 66% of first serves, could not hold his lead in the second set, winning just 62% of first-serve points and saving only 8 of 12 break points.