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Match Details
Fixture: (7) Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata
Tournament: Adelaide International 2025
Round: Second Round (Round of 16)
Venue: Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, Adelaide, Australia
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize Money: $730,000
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN+
Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata preview
Seventh seed Brandon Nakashima will take on local favorite Rinky Hijikata for a place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Adelaide International.
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Nakashima enjoyed a respectable campaign on the ATP Tour last year, compiling a 27-23 win/loss record and reaching the fourth round of the US Open. The American fared well on the Challengers Circuit in particular, winning one title at Tenerife, Spain, and reaching another final at Koblenz, Germany.
The World No. 37 began his 2025 campaign on a worrisome note as he lost in straight sets to Lorenzo Sonego in the first round of the Hong Kong Open last week. He has since notched his first tour-level win of the year in Adelaide, defeating Yannick Hanfmann in three sets to advance to the third round.
Hijikata has not been as successful on the main tour as his older opponent. The Aussie mostly plies his trade on the ATP Challenger tour. He won his tenth Challenger-level title last October in Playford, Australia.
Not unlike Nakashima, the World No. 79 also had a tough start to his 2025 tour season, losing in straight sets to Novak Djokovic in the first round of the Brisbane International. He has since made amends though; having received a Lucky Loser (LL) spot in the main draw at Adelaide, he made most of the opportunity as he beat former World No. 7 David Goffin convincingly to reach the second round.
Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata head-to-head
Nakashima leads Hijikata by a margin of 2-0 in their head-to-head meetings on the ATP Tour. The American beat the Aussie in straight sets in both of their 2024 encounters in Houston and Hangzhou, respectively.
Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata odds
(Odds will be added once available)
Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata prediction
Nakashima is one of the steadiest players from the baseline owing to his reliable double-handed backhand. The 23-year-old is also adept at first-serve returns, which is an aspect of his game that will give him good chances on the fast hardcourts of Adelaide.
Hijikata, on his part, doesn't have as strong groundstrokes as his American opponent. However, the Aussie is very quick on his feet and can chase down virtually every shot that his opponent throws at him.
The keys for both players in this match-up will be to maintain a high first-serve percentage and a healthy winners-to-unforced error ratio. Nakashima is perhaps more consistent than Hijikata in all departments, giving him an edge in their Round-of-16 encounter at the Adelaide International.
Pick: Nakashima in three sets.
