Djokovic Faces Hijikata in Crucial Miami Open Clash
Alright, tennis fans, let’s talk about one of the most anticipated matchups at the Miami Open—Novak Djokovic vs. Rinky Hijikata. It’s a big one, and there’s a lot at stake, especially for Djokovic, who is looking to turn his season around.
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is heading into this match with a bit of a rough patch behind him. Since the Australian Open, he’s played only two matches and lost both—to Matteo Berrettini and Botic Van de Zandschulp. Now, he’s trying to snap a three-match losing streak, which is something we haven’t seen from him since 2018. As he approaches his 38th birthday, Djokovic is under pressure to get his rhythm back before the clay season begins.
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But standing in his way is Rinky Hijikata, a young Australian talent who’s been steadily climbing the ranks. Hijikata, currently ranked 86th, has had a mixed season so far with a 4-7 record. However, he’s no stranger to Djokovic, having faced him earlier this year in Brisbane, where he lost 6-3, 6-3. At just 5’10”, Hijikata is a bit undersized compared to some of the bigger hitters on tour, but his playing style is interesting. He primarily plays from the baseline, but what makes him unique is his ability to mix things up with his one-handed slice backhand. In Brisbane, he tried using that slice to disrupt Djokovic’s rhythm, but the Serbian legend handled it well. The question now is, can Hijikata adjust and challenge Djokovic in a different way?
Djokovic, on the other hand, has to be careful. In Indian Wells, he wasn’t his usual dominant self, showing uncharacteristic inconsistency and unforced errors. That’s something he’ll need to clean up if he wants to go deep in Miami. Despite his recent struggles, Djokovic is still the heavy favorite, with betting odds putting him at -1000 to win outright, while Hijikata sits as a +575 underdog. For the first set alone, Djokovic is favored at -650, while Hijikata stands at +375.
The match is set to take place at 2:20 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on TennisChannel.com. Whoever wins this match will face either No. 32 seed Alex Michelsen or Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the next round.
So, will this be the match where Djokovic finally finds his form again? Or can Hijikata pull off the biggest upset of his career? We’ll find out soon enough. Stay tuned!
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