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Three Australian players with a wild card made a winning start at the home Major. Jason Kubler, John Millman and Rinky Hijikata passed the opening test at the Australian Open, backed by the partisan crowd. World no. 169 Rinky Hijikata made an impressive comeback at Court 8, toppling a qualifier Jannick Hanfmann 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in four hours and 25 minutes.
Thus, the 21-year-old secured his first Major victory and the second at the ATP level. Hijikata was two points away from defeat in the fourth set's tie break, staying composed to bring it home and having the upper hand in the decider for a place in the next round.
Last year, the young Aussie earned a valuable experience on the big stage, facing Rafael Nadal in the US Open round one at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Rinky was impressed with the stadium and the loud crowd, playing well and taking a set away from Rafa in a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 defeat.
Rinky Hijikata spoke about his US Open match versus Rafael Nadal.
Nadal sealed the deal in three hours and eight minutes, raising his level after a shaky start to avoid the setback. Rafa hit nine aces and faced four break points.
He lost his serve once in the opener and defended three break chances in set number three to keep the pressure on the other side. World no. 198 made an excellent start, but he could not keep that level in sets two, three and four.
Nadal broke him five times from ten opportunities to emerge at the top and move into the second round for the 16th time from as many trips to New York. The Spaniard hit 43 winners and 22 unforced errors, taking charge and controlling the pace from set number two.
"The US Open match against Rafael Nadal helped me for sure. It was my first experience in one of the world's greatest stadiums, with the noisiest and loudest crowd against one of the game's greatest players. The pressure you try to execute in those encounters is entirely different from anything else you have experienced on the court.
I did not make a good start today, playing way below my best in the opening two sets. However, I knew I would get back eventually. I wished to hang in there and back myself in the crucial moments, which I did," Rinky Hijikata said.