Rinky Hijikata Advances to Second Round at Adelaide International
Adelaide, 14 January 2026 – Australian tennis player Rinky Hijikata progressed to the second round of the Adelaide International after defeating fellow countryman Tristan Schoolkate in straight sets. The 24-year-old Hijikata, ranked 115th in the world, won 6-4, 6-4 on Tuesday, marking a strong start to the 2026 season following his qualifier success in Brisbane last week.
Match Highlights
Hijikata committed 13 unforced errors but managed to convert three break points, outperforming Schoolkate who had 16 unforced errors and converted two. Next up for Hijikata is Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the top seed, against whom he holds a 1-0 head-to-head record from the 2024 US Open. Hijikata expressed relief at advancing past an Australian opponent, noting the difficulty of such matches.
Key Facts
| Statistic | Rinky Hijikata | Tristan Schoolkate |
|---|---|---|
| Unforced Errors | 13 | 16 |
| Break Points Converted | 3 | 2 |
| World Ranking | 115 | 97 |
| Head-to-Head vs Fokina | 1-0 | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rinky Hijikata’s next match?
Hijikata will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round of the Adelaide International.
How did Hijikata perform in Brisbane?
He reached the second round as a qualifier, defeating Adam Walton 6-3, 6-2 before losing to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.