Harry Poole
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

This must feel very special for Shintaro Mochizuki.

The qualifier just held serve after a fifth deuce and resisting three break points - but that achievement has been cheered as if he has just won the match.

Many rise to their feet as he heads over to his chair, still in touch in this third set. There’ll be some noise if he can find a way to break Jannik Sinner…

Three break points saved by Shintaro Mochizuki and he's certainly keeping Jannik Sinner honest here.

The world number one slips over on the second of those points, but gives a thumbs-up to indicate he's OK.

However, former junior Wimbledon winner Mochizuki sees the game out.

Image source, EPA

Belinda Bencic only needs one of them.

We're back on serve.

Belinda Bencic moves to a 30-0 lead against serve and earns half a chance at breaking straight back.

That half chance quickly turns into three outright chances.

Image source, Getty Images

Coco Gauff gets it at the first opportunity when Belinda Bencic puts into the net.

Gauff led by a break early in the first set but failed to capitalise. Can she do anything with her position this time?

Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic are both left with their hand over their mouth and laughing. Gauff had turned away to protect herself as Bencic prepared to smash an overhead volley from the net, but it slices off her racquet and falls just to the side of the American.

Gauff gets back to business and has a couple of break points.

Harry Poole
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Centre Court was ready to erupt after Shintaro Mochizuki set up those three break back points, but he is denied his big moment as Jannik Sinner rediscovers his first serve to reel off five straight points.

The fifth of those leaves the crowd cheering for both players, with Mochizuki doing brilliantly to stay alive in a rally for as long as he did but ultimately ending up on Sinner’s end of the court after scampering after a drop shot to no avail.

Sinner offers a thumbs up to his opponent in recognition of his efforts. That’s a big relief for the defending champion and the finish line is now in sight.

Belinda Bencic races to the net and tries to cut a really acute angle but it proves too difficult as she puts wide.

Coco Gauff appears to have found her groove again on serve with a hold to love.

Phew for Jannik Sinner!

Shintaro Mochizuki gets to 0-40 but, having not broken yet in the match, understandably finds it hard to get over the line.

However the world number one finds his first serve to help quell the break points and gets over the line with a neat volley.

Belinda Bencic is having no such issues on serve and gets to 40-15 with her first ace of the match.

Coco Gauff keeps the game alive as she dips lips and drives through a forehand winner.

Bencic gets the hold at the next attempt.

It wasn't pretty but Coco Gauff gets the hold.

Double faults remain a major problem for the American.

For a bit of context, prior to Wimbledon Gauff led the standings for most double faults in 2026 with 226. Jelena Ostapenko is second on the list with 179.

Coco Gauff has come out with positivity and is quickly serving for the game at 40-15.

But Belinda Bencic benefits from a slower second serve and finds the corner perfectly with a forehand winner.

Hmmm.

A double fault allows Bencic to deuce.

Jannik Sinner gets a sniff at 30-30 but the gutsy Shintaro Mochizuki closes the door to stay in touch.

Match time has hit two hours on Centre Court and the Japanese qualifier has given a good account of himself.

Jannik Sinner holds to 15 to remain a break ahead in this third set.

At one stage it looked as though the world number one might run away with this, but credit to Shintaro Mochizuki who hasn't thrown in the towel despite that awful second-set tie-break.

Coco Gauff has decided to head off court between sets, so we'll have an extended break before play resumes.

Image source, Reuters

Belinda Bencic gets over the line at the third attempt.

That was quite the turnaround after trailing 3-0.

Coco Gauff will be disappointed with a lot of things from this opening set but her shot selection in the big moments has been fantastic.

Gauff gets back to deuce but Bencic earns a third set point.

Todd Woodbridge
Former Wimbledon doubles champion on BBC One

Do you know what Shintaro Mochizuki really wants to do? He wants to take us all the way until the 11pm curfew because you don't ever want to leave Centre Court when you're on it.

It is such a great joy. It is like no other. Sounds of the game are so important in sport, and in tennis there is no other sound like playing on Centre Court.

Harry Poole
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

I think that was both a gesture of thanks and a call for more noise by Shintaro Mochizuki there.

The Japanese qualifier raises both arms in the air as he swivels to face all sides of the stadium, after the crowd urged him on to that hold of serve which keeps him in touch in the third set.

It might not end up being the result he wanted, but this is sure to be a night the 23-year-old will never forget.

Belinda Bencic gets back to advantage and has a second opportunity to serve for the set.