Rinky Hijikata through to Brisbane International quarter-finals after win against Tomas Machac

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 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.

Jason Kubler could still join them, but will have to find a way past the fit-again Rafael Nadal in Thursday night’s Pat Rafter Arena feature match.

Earlier on Thursday, Thompson sealed his quarter-final berth without lifting a finger after French fourth-seed Ugo Humbert withdrew after reportedly struggling with gastroenteritis.

Thompson will play the winner of Nadal and Kubler.

World No 55 Thompson had cruised past fellow Australian Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 6-2 to reach the second round of the tournament.

AFP