Sat. Nov 2nd, 2024
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Rinky Hijikata won a fluctuating three-setter against Tomas Machac to join at least two other Australian men in the Brisbane International quarter-finals.

The 22-year-old beat the Czech qualifier 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) on Thursday in front of a boisterous home crowd on the outside show court at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

The world number 71 served for the first set before Machac took it off his racquet with a series of big forehands.

Machac then led 40-0 on Hijikata’s serve early in the second set, only for the Australian to surge back and hold in a momentum-shifting moment.

Hijikata then had an early service break neutralised in the third set, before again coming from 0-40 down to hold serve and then play faultless tennis in the deciding tie-break.

A man in a backwards cap holds onto a tennis racquet while trying to hit a tennis ball.
Tomas Machac played with a series of big forehands in the quarter-final qualifyer.(AAP: Jono Searle)

“A lot of ups and downs, that’s normally how it goes when I play,” said Hijikata, who beat compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round.

“I would like it if it was a bit more smooth sailing.

“But this is unbelievable; our favourite time of year, nothing beats playing at home.”

Hijikata will play either second-seed Grigor Dimitrov or German Daniel Altmaier for a spot in the final four, while James Duckworth and Jordan Thompson have also progressed to the quarter-finals.

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