Rinky Hijikata’s journey at Indian Wells has taken a significant turn this year, following a second-round exit in the previous tournament. This year, he has shown remarkable improvement, making a strong statement in the early rounds.
Breaking Development
In a thrilling second-round match, Hijikata defeated Alexander Bublik, who is currently ranked 10th in the ATP rankings, marking Hijikata’s first top-10 victory. The match lasted 2 hours and 35 minutes, with Hijikata rallying from a set down to secure the win with a score of 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-3. Notably, Hijikata did not face a single break point during the match.
Hijikata’s victory is particularly significant as he had previously lost to Bublik at the Phoenix Challenger twelve months ago. This turnaround highlights his growth as a player and his determination to succeed.
After the match, Hijikata expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It was a bloody tough second round of a Challenger last year, and I’m glad we could play in the second week here this year.” He also acknowledged Bublik’s strong performance, saying, “He’s had a hell of a year, never easy to face so I’m just pumped to get through.”
Hijikata’s success at Indian Wells follows a previous win against No.20 seed Luciano Darderi, further solidifying his position in the tournament.
Looking Ahead
As Hijikata advances to the next round, he is set to face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie. This matchup promises to be another challenging test for Hijikata, who is currently ranked World No.95. Observers are keen to see how he performs against a seasoned player like Norrie.
Additionally, Hijikata and Talia Gibson have made history as the first male-female qualifying pair from the same country to reach the round of 16 at Indian Wells since 1999, a notable achievement in the tournament’s history.
Hijikata’s impressive run at Indian Wells has garnered attention, and many are eager to see how far he can go in this prestigious tournament.