Rinky Hijikata Achieves First Top-10 Victory at Indian Wells
Rinky Hijikata faced Alexander Bublik at Indian Wells, a rematch of their previous encounter at the Phoenix Challenger twelve months ago, where Hijikata had lost. This time, however, the stakes were higher, as Hijikata aimed to make a significant impact in the tournament.
Breaking Development
In a thrilling second-round match, Hijikata achieved his first top-10 victory by defeating Bublik, the No.10 seed, with a score of 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-3. Remarkably, Hijikata rallied from a set down and did not face a single break point during the match, showcasing his impressive form.
Hijikata’s victory followed a solid performance against No.20 seed Luciano Darderi, further establishing him as a player to watch in the tournament. His success at Indian Wells has made him the only male qualifier to reach the third round this year.
After the match, Hijikata expressed his disbelief at not facing a break point, stating, “It could be the first time in my life I didn’t face a break point.” He acknowledged Bublik’s quality as a player, saying, “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.”
Looking ahead, Hijikata will face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie in the next round. Observers note that this matchup will be a significant test for Hijikata, who has been enjoying an impressive run at Indian Wells, having gone through qualifying to reach the round of 32.
Moreover, 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, marking a notable achievement in the tournament’s history.
As Hijikata continues to rise in the ATP rankings, now sitting at No.95, the tennis community is eager to see how far he can go in this prestigious tournament.
