Novak Djokovic makes a strong debut, defeating Rinky Hijikata 6-0, 7-6[7-1] at the Miami Open to reach the third round. The 6-time champion returned to the tournament for the first time since 2019, extending his impressive record to 45-7. Djokovic also overcame his two first-round defeats during the Middle East Swing.
After a dominant start, and some erratic play from the Australian, Hijikata was able to raise his level and challenge Nole. However, it wasn’t enough against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who showed his consistency throughout the match.
Djokovic delivers a bagel in opening set
Djokovic (No. 5) quickly created his first opportunities for a break, taking the lead with solid service games. Hijikata (No. 86) was quite erratic, failing to win any points on his second serve and, due to a combination of errors and excellent play from Djokovic, he gave away a second break, which put the Serbian ahead 4-0.
With little to do to turn it around, Hijikata eventually lost the set 6-0, after conceding a third consecutive break. It was a first set of complete domination by Djokovic, who didn’t give any chances with his serve, allowing only three points on his own serve. The Serbian was aggressive from the return, winning 62% of the points on return.
Djokovic holds firm in second set tie-break
Hijikata fought back in the match after securing his first service game, and even had a couple of break points, though he was unable to capitalize on them. Midway through the set, the Australian was down 2-3, 0-40, but with some good serving, he won five consecutive points to keep the score level.
Djokovic’s serve continued to be nearly flawless, as he managed to hit 17 consecutive points on his serve from 2-1 to 6-5. While Hijikata broke his streak and showed some of his best tennis moments, he was still nowhere near getting a break point.
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Still, the world No. 86 held his serve and pushed the set into a tie-break. Djokovic demonstrated his experience in these situations, and with a calm mindset, he won three consecutive mini-breaks to close out the victory 6-0, 7-6[7-1].
Match Statistics Hijikata vs. Djokovic
| Hijikata | VS | Djokovic |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 2 | Aces | 9 |
| 2 | Double Faults | 1 |
| 68% (43/63) | 1st Service Percentage | 80% (39/49) |
| 70% (30/43) | 1st Service Points Won | 85% (33/39) |
| 35% (7/20) | 2nd Service Points Won | 80% (8/10) |
| 70% (7/10) | Break Points Saved | 100% (2/2) |
| 67% (6/9) | Service Games | 100% (9/9) |
| Return | ||
| 15% (6/39) | 1st Return Points Won | 30% (13/43) |
| 20% (2/10) | 2nd Return Points Won | 65% (13/20) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 1h 21m | Match Duration | 1h 21m |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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