Rinky Hijikata delivered one of the tournament’s biggest upsets at the Paris Masters, dispatching seven-time champion Novak Djokovic with a commanding 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory in the second round. The result eliminated the Serbian star from contention for the ATP Finals and marked a breakthrough moment for the Australian qualifier.
Hijikata’s performance showcased remarkable resilience after a difficult opening set. The Australian found himself outmatched early, acknowledging the gap in quality but refusing to surrender mentally. “It took a lot; I was getting outplayed for the first set and a little bit. I wasn’t even close to his level; I knew I just had to really hang tough, had to keep trying to play my game, impose myself as much as I could,” Hijikata explained after the match.
Dominant Second and Third Sets
The momentum shifted decisively in Hijikata’s favor from the second set onward. After dropping the opening set, he claimed the next two frames with identical 6-3 scorelines, demonstrating improved consistency and tactical execution. The Australian’s ability to impose his game and maintain pressure throughout the final two sets proved too much for Djokovic to handle.
Advancing Further
The significant victory propels Hijikata into the third round of the Paris Masters, where he faces Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Australian’s run through qualifying and into the main draw has already yielded one of the tournament’s most notable results, adding another chapter to an impressive week in Paris.