At the second round of the Challenger Banque Nationale Quebec, Rei Sakamoto, world No. 165 and No. 155 in the live rankings, faces No. 2 seed Luca Van Assche, 54th and 50th live. A win would earn a spot in the third round. Sakamoto has six wins in his last ten matches, while Van Assche has seven, but the Frenchman comes off a loss at Cincinnati Open.
The Japanese player won his first-round match here in 79 minutes, with 73% first serves and three converted break points out of eleven. Van Assche will have had six days of rest compared to two for his opponent.
At 193 cm versus 178 cm, Sakamoto holds a height advantage. His quality of serve and Van Assche's ability to extend rallies will be ones to watch.
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Last meeting
Their last meeting took place on April 8, 2026 at the Atkinsons Monza Open, on clay. Luca Van Assche won it against Rei Sakamoto in straight sets, 63 75, at the end of a 116-minute match. The match therefore went in the Frenchman's favor, as he won both sets without conceding one.
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