Rinky Hijikata faced Alexander Bublik at Indian Wells on March 10, 2026, marking a significant moment in his career. This match came a year after Hijikata lost to Bublik at the Phoenix Challenger, highlighting the progress he has made since then.
Breaking Development
In a thrilling second-round match, Hijikata defeated Bublik, the No.10 seed, with a score of 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-3. This victory not only marks Hijikata’s first win against a top-10 player but also showcases his resilience as he rallied from a set down to secure the win.
Remarkably, Hijikata did not face a single break point during the match, a feat he acknowledged by stating, “It could be the first time in my life I didn’t face a break point.” His performance was further highlighted by having 21 fewer unforced errors than Bublik.
After the match, Hijikata expressed his excitement, 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.” His victory followed a previous win against No.20 seed Luciano Darderi, demonstrating his strong form in the tournament.
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 fellow Australian Talia Gibson are the first male-female qualifying pair from the same country to reach the round of 16 at Indian Wells since 1999, marking a significant milestone in the tournament’s history.
Looking ahead, Hijikata is set to face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie in the next round. This matchup promises to be another challenging test for Hijikata as he continues his impressive run at Indian Wells. Observers are keen to see how he will perform against a seasoned player like Norrie.
As Hijikata rises to world No.95 in the ATP rankings following his victory, his trajectory in professional tennis appears promising. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he builds on this momentum in future matches.
