University of North Carolina Athletics
Hijikata Wins US Open First Round Match
August 26, 2024 | Men's Tennis
Former University of North Carolina men's tennis All-America Rinky Hijikata maintained the strong momentum to his professional career on Monday, winning his first-round match in the 2024 US Open in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Hijikata dispatched Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain in four sets, 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Along the way, he improved to 3-2 as a pro in four-set matches. Fokina has been ranked as high as No. 21 in the world.
Hijikata advances to Wednesday's second round, where he will face world No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov.
Hijikata dispatched Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain in four sets, 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Along the way, he improved to 3-2 as a pro in four-set matches. Fokina has been ranked as high as No. 21 in the world.
Hijikata advances to Wednesday's second round, where he will face world No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov.
"This is what you dream of," Hijikata told Stan Sport after the match. "I feel like I've played some really good tennis at this tournament before and obviously had a great run last year, so I feel comfortable here.
"I've put in a lot of hard work this year and it hasn't always been smooth sailing, so to come out here and put in a performance like that, I'm pretty proud of myself."
Hijikata gained his first acclaim as a pro at the 2022 US Open, taking then-world No. 3 Rafael Nadal to four sets in a first-round match before a national television audience. Last year, Hijikata entered the US Open as a wildcard entry ranked No. 110 in the world. He defeated four higher-ranked foes and advanced to the fourth round.
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