Delaney Je. edged Takahashi Y. 7-6, 7-6 in Guangzhou, winning both sets in tie-breaks after two chaotic sets in which serve counted for very little. The difference came on the big points: Delaney saved 7 of 9 break points across the match, Takahashi only 2 of 5.
The opening set was a break-fest, with the serve changing hands from the very first game (Delaney broke at 1-0) through to Takahashi levelling at 6-6 after Delaney had broken for 6-5. The second set followed a similar script: Takahashi broke for 0-3, Delaney hit back at 1-3, 3-3 and 5-3, only to be pegged back at 5-4 and 5-6 before breaking again at 6-6 to force the decisive tie-break.
The standout number is Delaney's second-serve work: 25 of 27 second serves in, 16 of 27 points won behind it, against 10 of 22 for Takahashi, who also coughed up five double faults to Delaney's two. Delaney also served eight aces to one and won 12 straight points in the second set.