Hijikata

2023 - 1 - 16

Olivia Gadecki - rinky hijikata

Post cover — Image courtesy of "7NEWS.com.au"

John Millman justifies wildcard with five-set victory over Marc ... (7NEWS.com.au)

Millmania is alive and well in Melbourne, with a raucous crowd lifting the veteran to a feat not seen since 2016.

“With my year last year, I was able to win a round at the French, win a round at the US Open and have that pretty special run for me at Wimbledon as well. That is the most fun match I’ve ever played in my life.” “To be able to win (here) for the first time in singles is super great but also I feel like I’m carrying a bit of the momentum from last year and I feel really proud of myself that I was able to win on the singles court,” he told reporters. “I couldn’t have done it without the support today. “So it’s kind of cool now, just almost the last four grand slams that I’ve been able to win a match in the main draw. He reached the second week at Wimbledon and was Australia’s last man standing at the French Open, while also making the second round at Flushing Meadows for a second time. Breaking Huesler to win the fourth, the Queenslander carried that momentum into the last set to secure a $160,000 pay day. The watershed 6-4 6-4 6-4 win over Baez comes 13 years after Kubler debuted at Melbourne Park as a 16-year-old prodigy described as a “right-handed Rafael Nadal” before a succession of knee injuries threatened to cruel his career. The Australian was staring down the barrel of giving the advantage right back but won three points in a row to level the match at one set all. Kubler made the mixed doubles final and the men’s doubles third round at Melbourne Park before enjoying a breakout grand slam season last year. Huesler, who at 26 years old is still searching for his first win at a grand slam, took the breaker 10-8 but failed to capitalise on the local hope’s shakiness from there on. Hijikata, who took a set off Rafael Nadal at the US Open last year, lapped up the applause on Court 8 but is set for bigger and better things this week.

Hijikata stages incredible comeback victory at Australian Open 2023 (Tennis Australia)

Aussie wildcard Rinky Hijikata has recovered from a two-set deficit to score a memorable victory in his Australian Open main-draw debut.

[WC] Olivia Gadecki (AUS) v Marta Kostyuk (UKR) That is the most fun match I’ve ever played in my life.” “I couldn’t have done it without the support today. “Going into the fifth I was feeling pretty good. He used this momentum to shine, striking 58 winners to secure his first Grand Slam main-draw singles victory in memorable fashion. “I was just a little bit anxious I think and really uptight,” Hijikata explained of his slow start.

Aussie underdogs counter crushing Kyrgios blow (Wide World of Sports)

Rinky Hijikata, John Millman, Jason Kubler and Olivia Gadecki all won on day one of the Australian Open, co...

That was the most fun match I've ever played in my life." "I couldn't have done it without the support today. "I dunno. That was mental," Hijikata said on Nine's coverage when asked how he felt. [Jason Kubler](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-jason-kubler-v-sebastian-baez-karen-khachanov-video-post-match-interview-press-conference/1188954b-361c-4756-8070-77369df77099) and [Olivia Gadecki](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-aussie-wildcard-olivia-gadecki-payday-opening-round-victory/c9bb6d09-87b9-48e9-a5dc-36ee7c079417)booked their own tickets to the second round. [wouldn't contest the grand slam because of a gruesome knee injury](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-nick-kyrgios-withdraws-with-knee-injury/e269cc58-6006-4259-b4eb-6cbc614ab435), the country's unheralded crop dazzled. [clicking here](https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=wwos&redirect_uri=https://wwos.nine.com.au&newsletter=true)! [How 'proud' Aussie wildcard overcame 'heartache'](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-jason-kubler-v-sebastian-baez-karen-khachanov-video-post-match-interview-press-conference/1188954b-361c-4756-8070-77369df77099) [Australian Open 2023 day one](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-live-results-day-one-rafael-nadal-daniil-medvedev-stefanos-tsitsipas-matches-nick-kyrgios/a037bb05-8952-4b4a-b142-af466bc1cbef) [Kyrgios' gross injury reveal after withdrawal](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open-2023-nick-kyrgios-withdraws-with-knee-injury/e269cc58-6006-4259-b4eb-6cbc614ab435) He then jumped around and punched the air, ecstatic at clinching his first singles win in the main draw of a grand slam. [Australian Open](https://wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/australian-open) show courts on Monday evening — away from the limelight that attracts broadcast commentary, considerably more licensed photographs and many more fans — a loveable local had a gathering of onlookers rocking.

Rinky Hijikata sends Melbourne Park into a frenzy with epic five-set ... (ABC News)

On a day where Nick Kyrgios's Australian Open hopes were dashed due to injury, 21-year-old wildcard Rinky Hijikata inspires the local brigade after coming ...

He joined two other Australians, Jason Kubler and John Millman, in progressing to the second round of the men's draw. It took Hijikata four hours and 25 minutes to wear down 128th-ranked Hanfmann, but his efforts in winning his first singles match at a major were recognised by the vocal court-eight crowd, who gave the young Australian a standing ovation. Making his debut in the Australian Open men's draw, 21-year-old Hijikata fought back from two sets down against German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann to triumph 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

Hijikata win sets up Tsitsipas Open clash (The Singleton Argus)

Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata has lined up a crack at world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open...

That is the most fun match I've ever played in my life." "I couldn't have done it without the support today. Up 6-5, world No.61 Halys had four set points after Tsitsipas trailed 0-40 on serve but he couldn't close it out with the pair heading to a tiebreak. Tsitsipas lost focus temporarily in the third, twice losing his serve, but managed to level to send the set to a tense showdown. Hijikata fell to the ground then punched the air and celebrated with the crowd. Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata has lined up a crack at world No.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open second round after pulling off a stirring five-set comeback victory in his main-draw debut.

Hijikata heroics stir Aussie crowd into a frenzy (SEN)

Rinky Hijikata has earned his first Grand Slam victory in incredible fashion, coming from two-sets-to-love down to defeat Yannick Hanfmann in front of a ...

and give it a massive crack.” “It's hard not to feel good when you have got that many people getting behind you and being that loud. “I think everyone was buzzing.

'That was mental!': 21yo Aussie's epic reaction to five-set thriller ... (Fox Sports)

Four hours and 26 minutes: Aussie underdog Rinky Hijikata's five-set victory over world number 128 Yannick Hanfmann on Monday night was the definition of an ...

I think I was pretty anxious going into the match, and I think that showed for the first two sets, you know. “Yeah, I’m going to come out and try to play my game. “Then, yeah, once I finally got a little sniff, I think the crowd really just kind of picked me up and erupted. I’m going to go out there and give it a massive crack, yeah.” I think I was pretty done there in the third, to be honest. “You know, I think, I don’t know, I was struggling big-time there. In the words of the Aussie world number 169, he was “struggling big time” and “pretty done” in the third set. “I mean, I don’t really know how to put it into words. “I’m pumped. Yeah, it was crazy out there. Then I don’t really know how I got back into it.” On the ropes?