Rinky Hijikata faced Alexander Bublik in the second round of the Indian Wells tournament, a rematch of their previous encounter at the Phoenix Challenger twelve months prior, where Hijikata had suffered a defeat.
Breaking Development
In a remarkable turnaround, Hijikata triumphed over the No.10 seed Bublik, marking his first victory against a top-10 player. He rallied from a set down to win the match with scores of 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-3, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Throughout the match, Hijikata did not face a single break point, a feat he remarked on, saying, “It could be the first time in my life I didn’t face a break point.” His performance was characterized by fewer unforced errors than Bublik, with a total of 21 fewer mistakes.
After the match, Hijikata expressed his excitement, stating, “Obviously, he’s a quality player. He’s had a hell of a year, never easy to face so I’m just pumped to get through.” His victory followed a previous win against No.20 seed Luciano Darderi, further solidifying his impressive run.
Hijikata’s success at Indian Wells is noteworthy as he is the only male qualifier to reach the third round this year. 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
With this victory, Hijikata has risen to world No.95 in the ATP rankings. He is set to face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie in the next round, a matchup that promises to be challenging. Observers are keen to see if Hijikata can continue his impressive form against a seasoned competitor like Norrie.
As the tournament progresses, Hijikata’s journey has captured the attention of tennis fans and analysts alike, with many eager to see how far he can advance in this prestigious event.
