Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata has continued his audacious run by the US Open draw to cost into the fourth spherical at Flushing Meadows.
Hijikata resisted a stirring fightback from Chinese trailblazer Zhizhen Zhang to submit a 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-3 victory over the world No.67 and scamper into the final 16 on the season’s last grand slam.
“I wouldn’t have picked it at the start of the week,” Hijikata mentioned.
“But I put a lot of hard work in. I’ve always strived for these type of results and I’ve always felt that I am capable of having runs in these tournaments.
“But to have it happen this soon when I feel like I am still pretty new playing at the grand slams, it’s pretty cool.”
The landmark win secured the 22-year-old a fourth-round date with American tenth seed Frances Tiafoe on Monday (AEST), a contemporary career-high rating contained in the world’s prime 80 and a minimal pay day of $US284,000 ($A440,000).
That virtually doubles Hijikata’s earnings in an already-breakout season that featured a maiden grand slam doubles crown with countryman Jason Kubler on the Australian Open in January.
Hijiikata had introduced his arrival to New York followers final 12 months when he seized the opening set from Rafael Nadal in an electrifying first-round encounter below lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But few may have predicted a 12 months on the world No.110 would characteristic within the second week at Flushing Meadows, particularly after Hijikata wanted Tennis Australia’s generosity of a wildcard entry into the principle draw.
“I have developed a lot since I played Ashe at this time last year in my first grand slam and that was really cool,” Hijikata mentioned.
“I really learned a lot from that match and that experience. That has been the biggest key, I think, every week I play. I am learning more and more.
“I feel like I am a lot better player than I was 12 months ago and I still have a lot improve on.”
The Sydney-born son of Japanese immigrant dad and mom has greater than vindicated TA’s religion in him with an impressed run.
Moments after his first-round win over Pavel Kotov, Hijikata was left rocked by a deadly taking pictures at his girlfriend’s faculty, the University of North Carolina the place he additionally spent two years learning.
He devoted his second-round win over Marton Fucsovics to his former schoolmates and celebrated wildly after claiming a 3rd straight higher-ranked scalp on Friday evening.
Clubbing winners off each wings, Hijikata had Zheng below the pump from the get-go.
Clearly weary from sapping five-set wins in his opening two matches, together with an monumental upset victory over seventh seed and 2022 Open runner-up Casper Ruud, Zheng needed to struggle off eight break factors within the first two units.
But Hijikata couldn’t be denied, finally blasting to a two-set lead with three service breaks as Zheng struggled to deal with the Australian’s firepower.
Bravely bidding to turn out to be the primary Chinese man within the 56-year open period to make the final 16 of a grand slam, Zheng made one final stand regardless of needing two medical time-outs for a again concern.
Shortening the factors, Zheng’s daring techniques paid off as he snatched the third set after an epic service recreation lasting virtually 10 minutes.
But the trouble damage the 26-year-old as Hijikata upped the ante and gained two decisive breaks within the fourth set earlier than sealing victory along with his twelfth ace on his first match level after three hours and 10 minutes.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
