Bengaluru Open: Mochizuki Halts Barton’s Journey, McCabe Shocks Mejia to Enter Semifinals
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Synopsis
The Bengaluru Open witnessed thrilling quarterfinals as Shintaro Mochizuki eliminated Hynek Barton and James McCabe staged a comeback against Nicolas Mejia, securing spots in the semifinals. Billy Harris also advanced by defeating Tristan Schoolkate in a dramatic three-set match.
Key Takeaways
- Shintaro Mochizuki defeated Hynek Barton to reach the semifinals.
- James McCabe overcame Nicolas Mejia in a comeback victory.
- Billy Harris triumphed over Tristan Schoolkate in a thrilling match.
- The tournament boasts a prize pool of USD 200,000.
- Top players are vying for ATP ranking points.
Bengaluru, Feb 28 (NationPress) The seventh seed Shintaro Mochizuki put an end to Hynek Barton’s remarkable journey at the 2025 Bengaluru Open by ousting the Czech qualifier from the singles competition at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium on Friday. The 2019 junior Wimbledon Champion triumphed over Barton with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3, securing his place in the semifinals, where he will face Australian James McCabe.
In a match held at the Centre Court, Mochizuki quickly seized the initiative, winning the first game of the opening set without dropping a point. The promising Japanese player then earned two breakpoints in the second game, but Barton managed to hold his serve.
The match intensified as it progressed, culminating in Mochizuki taking the first set via a tie-breaker in this ATP Challenger 125 tournament, boasting a prize pool of USD 200,000, organized by the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA). This event is recognized as India’s premier international tennis tournament, with the champion receiving 125 valuable ATP ranking points.
Mochizuki broke Barton’s serve in the opening game of the second set and successfully defended against two breakpoints in the subsequent game, as well as another in game four. With a solid foundation established, the seventh seed concluded the match in just one hour and 36 minutes.
Earlier, the 21-year-old McCabe staged a comeback after losing the first set to defeat Colombia’s Nicolas Mejia with scores of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a quarterfinal match that lasted two hours and 22 minutes. After dropping the initial set, McCabe rallied in the second, trading breaks with Mejia in games six and seven before seizing the crucial advantage in game ten. With momentum on his side, McCabe saved three breakpoints in the opening game of the final set, broke Mejia in game six, and cruised to victory.
Alongside Mochizuki and McCabe, Great Britain’s Billy Harris also secured his spot in the DafaNews Bengaluru Open semifinals after a gripping three-set victory over second seed Tristan Schoolkate. Harris, who entered as a lucky loser from qualifying, took the first set 6-2, but Schoolkate bounced back to claim the second set. After losing his serve in the first game of the decider, Harris recovered by breaking Schoolkate in game six and ultimately clinching the match with a score of 6-2, 1-6, 7-5.
In doubles, second seeds Blake Bayldon and Matthew Romios reached the final by defeating unseeded Siddhant Banthia and Parikshit Somani with a score of 6-3, 7-6(6). After a cautious start, the Australians converted one of three breakpoints in the fourth game to gain an early advantage in the first set. The Indian duo responded by winning game six and saving a break point in game eight, but could not break back.
The second set saw Banthia and Somani mount a strong challenge, saving a break point in the opening game and matching their opponents point for point to force a tiebreaker. Despite their spirited effort, they ultimately fell 8-6 in the tiebreak. Bayldon and Romios will now compete against the winners of the match between reigning champions Saketh Myneni/Ramkumar Ramanathan and top seeds Anirudh Chandrasekar/Ray Ho for the Bengaluru Open 2025 doubles title.
Selected results:
Singles (quarterfinals): James McCabe (AUS) d. Nicolas Mejia (COL) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3; [7] Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) d. [Q] Hynek Barton (CZE) 7-6(5), 6-3; [LL] Billy Harris (GBR) d. [2] Tristan Schoolkate (AUS) 6-2, 1-6, 7-5.
Doubles (semifinals):
[2] B. Bayldon (AUS)/M.C. Romios (AUS) d. [PR] S. Banthia (IND)/P. Somani (IND) 6-3, 7-6(6).
