Rinky Hijikata’s journey at Indian Wells has been marked by notable performances, including a second-round exit last year. This year, he has shown remarkable improvement, advancing further in the tournament.
Breaking Development
In a thrilling second-round match, Hijikata defeated Alexander Bublik, the 10th seed, achieving his first victory over a top-10 player. The match lasted 2 hours and 35 minutes, with Hijikata rallying from a set down to win 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-3. Notably, he 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. Following this win, he also secured a victory against No. 20 seed Luciano Darderi, showcasing his strong performance throughout the tournament.
After the match, Hijikata expressed his relief and excitement, 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 acknowledged Bublik’s impressive form, adding, “He’s had a hell of a year, never easy to face so I’m just pumped to get through.”
Looking ahead, Hijikata is set to face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie in the next round. His performance has been commendable, as he is now ranked World No. 95 in the ATP rankings and has made history alongside Talia Gibson as the first male-female qualifying pair from the same country to reach the round of 16 at Indian Wells since 1999.
Observers note that Hijikata’s impressive run at Indian Wells, having gone through qualifying to reach the round of 32, marks a significant milestone in his career. The tennis community is eager to see how he will perform against Norrie, a formidable opponent.
