Rinky Hijikata reaches the third round of the 2023 United States Open

Rinky Hijikata (Juan de DeBoca, Wikimedia Commons)

One of the most notable stories from the 2023 United States Open in Flushing Meadows, New York from an Australian perspective so far has been the greatness of world men’s doubles number 38 Rinky Hijikata of Sydney. In the first round, Hijikata defeated Pavel Kotov of Russia, 7-5, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5. Then in the second round, Hijikata steamrolled past Marton Fucsovics of Hungary, 6-1, 6-2, 6-1.

One of the top reasons for Hijikata’s success has been his ability to read his opponent’s serve. He had 26 break point opportunities against Kotov, of which he broke the Russian nine times. Then against Fucsovics, Hijikata broke Fucsovics seven times in 11 opportunities.

Hijikata is reaching the third round of a grand slam tournament for the first time in his professional career. He will face the winner of three-time grand slam finalist Casper Ruud of Norway and Zhizhen Zhang of China. Ruud reached the final of the 2022 French Open, the 2022 United States Open, and the 2023 French Open.

Four more Australians reached the second round. On the men’s side, Christopher O’Connell of Sydney defeated Max Purcell of Sydney 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, in an all-Australian matchup in the first round. O’Connell will next play world number three Daniil Medvedev of Russia in round two. Medvedev has won the two prior meetings. Medvedev won 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the 2020 United States Open, and then 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in the quarterfinals of Doha in 2023. Medvedev’s lone major title was the 2021 United States Open.

The other Australian man in round two is the 13th seed Alex de Minaur of Sydney. In the first round, de Minaur defeated Kazakhstan qualifier Timofey Skatov 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5. de Minaur will next play Yibing Wu of China. This will be their first ever meeting.

In women’s action, two Australians reached the second round. In round one, Daria Saville of Melbourne beat American wildcard Clervie Ngounoue 6-0, 6-2, and Ajla Tomljanovic of Brisbane beat Hungary’s Panna Udvardy 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. However, Saville or Tomljanovic did not reach round three. Saville lost 6-3, 6-4 to world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland in round two on Wednesday, and Tomljanovic had to withdraw against world number four Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan because of a knee injury.

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