Australia’s Rinky Hijikata has jumped back into the top-100 on the live rankings after taking out the world no. 10 Alexander Bublik in round 3.
Earlier in the day, Australia’s top ranked player lost to a former Indian Wells champion, Cameron Norrie. Alex de Minaur losing to the world no. 29 6-4, 6-4.
Hijikata got into the main draw as a qualifier and came in to the tournament as world no. 117.
The first set didn’t see a break of serve, with Bublik not even facing a break point, and Hijikata saving four.
The set was taken 7-3 by Bublik in the breaker.
The second set was in reverse with the Australian staying in the match after winning the breaker 7-3.
In the deciding set it was Hijikata that finally got a crucial break and he closed out the set to win 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-3.
It was the first time the Australian has defeated a top-10 player.
Next up is the 2021 Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie.