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Hijikata's wild ride leads to US Open 4th round

tennis01 September 2023 23:37| © AFP
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Rinky Hijikata © Gallo Images

Rinky Hijikata's improbable ride at the US Open continued on Friday as the Australian wildcard entrant powered into the last 16.

 


 

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The 22-year-old world No 110 from Sydney – who has never been past the second round in his two other Grand Slam appearances - reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win over China's Zhang Zhizhen.

Zhang, who stunned last year's US Open finalist Casper Ruud in the previous round, was unable to reproduce the quality of that performance against a fired-up Hijikata.

The Aussie unfurled a stream of 55 winners to overpower Zhang before sealing victory with his 13th ace of the match in the fourth set.

Hijikata will face US hopeful and 10th seed Frances Tiafoe on Sunday for a place in the quarterfinals.

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