Rinky Hijikata has made a striking breakthrough at the Indian Wells ATP 1000 tournament in California, reaching the fourth round for the first time in his career. Despite being ranked No. 62 globally, Hijikata defeated the tournament’s 10th seed, Alexander Bublik, in a hard-fought match on Monday, securing his place in the round of 16.
Details of Hijikata’s Victory Over Bublik
The match was a test of resilience for Hijikata, who lost the opening set 6-7 (3-7) but recovered strongly to claim the second set through a tiebreak, 7-6 (7-3). In the deciding set, he managed the only service break and won 6-3. Despite Bublik delivering more winners—forging 40 against Hijikata’s 33—he was hampered by 49 unforced errors compared to Hijikata’s 27. The Australian player held his serve flawlessly and took advantage of one of seven break point chances.
This win marks Hijikata’s first triumph over a top-10 opponent, a milestone given their past encounter a year ago when Bublik prevailed at the Phoenix Challenger, shortly after Hijikata’s earlier exit at Indian Wells.
“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,”
Hijikata reflected.
“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.”
Norrie Halts Alex de Minaur’s Progress
Elsewhere in the tournament, Australian Alex de Minaur’s run was ended in a straight-sets loss to England’s Cameron Norrie. The British left-hander, ranked No. 26, won 6-4, 6-4 in the third round, dashing de Minaur’s hope of surpassing his previous best at Indian Wells—the round of 16.
De Minaur produced 25 winners but was less consistent, yielding 30 unforced errors to Norrie’s 22. Furthermore, Norrie outperformed in serving, winning 76 percent of points on his first serve versus de Minaur’s 66 percent. His effectiveness extended to break points, converting three out of four opportunities, while de Minaur converted just one of the seven chances he created.
Other Notable Performances at Indian Wells
Cameron Norrie’s victory secured him a place in the last 16, where he will face Hijikata. His compatriot, Jack Draper, also advanced after defeating Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 7-5. Draper is set to take on third seed Novak Djokovic in a highly anticipated match.
Djokovic, who has won Indian Wells five times and shares the record with 24 Grand Slam titles, overcame an upset second set to defeat American Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. The victory marked Djokovic’s return to the round of 16 at this event for the first time since 2017, showcasing his enduring presence at the top level.
Significance and Outlook for the Tournament
Rinky Hijikata’s unexpected success highlights the rising talent coming out of Australia and adds intrigue to the Indian Wells competition, often regarded as the sport’s fifth Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur’s earlier exit suggests challenges ahead for him on the ATP Tour. The upcoming matches featuring players like Hijikata, Norrie, Draper, and Djokovic promise further intense competition, with each vying for prestige and ranking points in this key desert event.
