Rinky Hijikata, an emerging talent in tennis, faced Alexander Bublik at the Indian Wells tournament, marking a significant moment in his career. Just a year prior, Hijikata lost to Bublik at the Phoenix Challenger, making this victory particularly meaningful.

Breaking Development

In a thrilling second-round match, Hijikata defeated the No.10 seed Bublik, achieving his first top-10 victory with a score of 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-3. Remarkably, Hijikata did not face a single break point during the match, showcasing his strong performance.

Hijikata’s victory followed a solid win against No.20 seed Luciano Darderi, further solidifying his presence in the tournament. With this win, he became the only male qualifier to reach the third round at Indian Wells.

Reflecting on his performance, Hijikata stated, “It could be the first time in my life I didn’t face a break point.” He expressed excitement about overcoming a quality player like Bublik, 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.”

With this victory, Hijikata rose to world No.95 in the ATP rankings, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.

Historic Achievement

In addition to his individual success, 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.

Looking Ahead

Next, Hijikata will face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie, who recently advanced after a match where Alex de Minaur could not capitalize on six break points. Observers are keen to see how Hijikata will perform against Norrie, given his recent form and confidence from the victory over Bublik.

As the tournament progresses, Hijikata’s impressive run continues to draw attention, and many are eager to see how far he can go in this prestigious event.

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