Rinky Hijikata vs Damir Dzumhur Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Hangzhou Open

Prediction published on 18/09/2024, 00:02  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 18/09/2024 at 00:06 in Tennis Predictions

Rinky Hijikata and Damir Dzumhur, both unseeded, will face off in the first round at the Hangzhou Open. The two will meet on Thursday for the second time in their careers and here’s our prediction of the match.

After a three-week break, Hijikata is back on the tour. The Australian last featured at the US Open where he lost in the second round. This year has been difficult for Hijikata, who arrives for this tournament on a losing record.

He has compiled a 23-28 record and on his favoured hard court surface, has put up a 16-16 record. Despite these inconsistencies, he managed to reach the quarter-finals at four tour events.

One of those came on grass at the Queen’s Club Championship. It was his maiden appearance in the main draw of an ATP 500 event. Hijikata is currently ranked 81st in the ATP.

Damir Dzumhur sits 10 places below Hijikata in the live ranking after dropping five places last week. A win here will see him move up to 87th. The Bosnian number one is seeking his first win at a main draw event for the first time this year.

He has participated in 10 tour events this year and lost in each tournament in the qualifying rounds. The 32-year-old has had a superb season nonetheless, playing in the challenger circuit.

He has compiled a 40-21 record and won five titles, the most recent in Istanbul, being on hard courts. Dzumhur is coming off a Davis Cup performance where he won one of his two matches.

The winner from this game will set up a second-round battle with either Luca Nardi or Fabian Marozsan.