Rinky Hijikata is one of six Australians through to the second round at an ATP 250 tournament in Mexico.
Los Cabos, Mexico, 21 February 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Rinky Hijikata has made an impressive start to his campaign at an ATP 250 tournament in Los Cabos, recording a straight-sets win against sixth seed Miomir Kecmanovic in the opening round.
The 22-year-old Australian posted a 6-3 7-6(2) victory against the Serbian, who is ranked 25 places higher at world No.54.
It is Hijikataβs fifth career win against a top-60 player and sets up a second-round clash with AmericanΒ Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Hijikata has fond memories at the Mexican hard-court event, having scored his first tour-level main-draw win at the tournament as a qualifier in 2022.
Jordan Thompson is also through to the second round, continuing his good form with a 6-4 6-3 triumph against Mexican wildcardΒ Ernesto Escobedo.
After tallying a career-best 15 ATP-level wins last season, Thompson has recorded nine already so far in 2024.
βIβve played a lot of matches and Iβm match fit at the moment,β the 29-year-old said after dismissing Escobedo in 104 minutes.
βWhy not keep it rolling.β
Thompsonβs efforts have been rewarded in the rankings, breaking into the worldβs top 40 for the first time this week.
Aleksandar Vukic boosted the number of Aussie contenders through to the second round to six, after surviving a spirited test from Mexican wildcardΒ Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez.
Vukic recorded a 7-6(5) 7-6(10) victory after saving six set points in a high-pressure second set.
This is the 27-year-oldβs first win of the season and sets up a second-round clash with world No.11 Stefanos Tsitsipas.
βIt will be a challenge, but one that Iβm looking forward too,β world No.72 Vukic said.
βIβve always wanted to play him. Heβs one of the best players in the world.β
Aussies in action β Los Cabos
RESULTS
Menβs singles, first round
[8] Jordan Thompson (AUS)Β d [WC] Ernesto Escobedo (MEX) 6-4 6-3
Rinky Hijikata (AUS)Β d [6] Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 6-3 7-6(2)
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS)Β d [WC] Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez (MEX) 7-6(5) 7-6(10)
Menβs doubles, first round
[4] Max Purcell (AUS)/Jordan Thompson (AUS)Β d Petros Tsitsipas (GRE)/Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6-4 6-3
Guido Andreozzi (ARG)/Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela (MEX) dΒ [3] John Peers (AUS)/Harri Heliovaara (FIN) 1-6 7-6(6) [11-9]
COMING UP
Menβs singles, second round
[3] Alex de Minaur (AUS)Β v Alex Michelsen…
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