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, culminating in a historic victory.
Breaking Development
On March 10, 2026, Hijikata defeated Alexander Bublik in the second round, marking his first top-10 victory. The match was a hard-fought battle, 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, showcasing his strong performance.
Hijikata’s victory is particularly impressive considering he had previously lost to Bublik at the Phoenix Challenger just a year ago. His win against Bublik followed a successful match against No.20 seed Luciano Darderi, further establishing his prowess on the court.
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.”
With this victory, Hijikata has climbed to World No.95 in the ATP rankings, a notable rise from his previous ranking of 106 before defeating Darderi. Additionally, he 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.
Looking ahead, Hijikata is set to face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie in the next round. Observers are keen to see how he will perform against a seasoned competitor like Norrie, especially after his impressive run through the tournament.
As Hijikata continues to gain momentum, tennis fans and analysts alike are eager to follow his progress at Indian Wells and beyond.
