Rinky Hijikata’s journey at Indian Wells has seen a significant turnaround this year, following a second-round exit in the previous tournament. This year, he has made headlines by advancing to the round of 32 after a series of impressive performances.
Breaking Development
In a remarkable match on March 10, 2026, Hijikata defeated Alexander Bublik, the 10th seed, marking his first victory over a top-10 player. The match was a hard-fought battle, with Hijikata rallying from a set down to win 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 6-3. Notably, he did not face a single break point during the match.
Hijikata’s victory is particularly significant as he had previously lost to Bublik at the Phoenix Challenger twelve months prior. This win follows his earlier success against No. 20 seed Luciano Darderi, showcasing his growth and resilience on the court.
After the match, Hijikata expressed his satisfaction, stating, “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.” He acknowledged Bublik’s strong performance, saying, “He’s had a hell of a year, never easy to face so I’m just pumped to get through.”
Looking ahead, Hijikata is set to face 2021 champion Cameron Norrie in the next round. His current form and confidence suggest he will be a formidable opponent. Hijikata’s achievement is further highlighted by the fact that he and 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 historic moment in the tournament’s history.
As he continues his impressive run, observers are keen to see how Hijikata will perform against Norrie, with expectations high for his potential to advance further in the tournament.
