Moutet Wins First Round in Rome in Three Sets
Moutet defeated Hijikata with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 in the first round of the Rome Masters 1000.
After a frustrating first set—during which he even received a warning for smashing his racket—the Frenchman turned the match around to overcome the Australian in 2 hours and 28 minutes.
Playing aggressively, the 26-year-old scored 36 winners throughout the match. In a very open contest, both players also earned 12 and 11 break points each, converting less than half. This was their first meeting on the tour, and the duel ultimately favored the Frenchman, who will face his compatriot Ugo Humbert in the next round.
Among his best performances this season, Moutet notably reached the third round in Australia and also made the quarterfinals in Phoenix.
Rome 
