Hangzhou Open 2024: Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (4) Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata

Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024

Tournament: Hangzhou Open 2024

Round: Quarter-final

Venue: Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Center in Hangzhou, China

Category: ATP 250

Surface: Hard

Prize Money: $1,000,630

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - DAZN

Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata preview

Brandon Nakashima in action at the National Bank Open (Picture via Getty)

Fourth seed Brandon Nakashima will square off against Rinky Hijikata in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Hangzhou Open on Sunday, September 22.

Nakashima has been in great form on the ATP tour this year, as his 24-16 match record so far suggests. While he hasn't won a title yet this season, he's made deep runs in several tournaments, with a semifinal finish in Stuttgart being his best result.

Since the start of the North American hardcourt swing, Nakashima has been particularly impressive, compiling an 8-4 record along with a fourth-round finish at the US Open, where he lost to Alexander Zverev. He kicked off his campaign in Hangzhou with an emphatic comeback victory over Coleman Wong, winning 6-7 (7), 7-6 (4), 6-1.

Hijikata, meanwhile, has a 15-20 match record so far this year. His best results include reaching the quarterfinals at Queen's Club, Brisbane, Delray Beach, and most recently, the Winston-Salem Open. He also made it to the second round of the US Open, where he lost to ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov.

Hijikata also began his campaign in Hangzhou with a comeback victory, overcoming a one-set deficit against Damir Dzhumur to seal a 2-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2 win. He was scheduled to face seventh seed Fabian Marozsan in the second round, but the Hungarian was forced to withdraw, granting him a free pass into the quarterfinals.

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Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata head-to-head

Brandon Nakashima edges Rinky Hijikata 1-0 in their head-to-head, having won their only encounter 6-1, 6-4 in Houston earlier this year.

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Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games
Brandon Nakashima
Rinky Hijikata

(Odds will be added once available.)

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Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata prediction

Rinky Hijikata in action at the Winston-Salem Open (Picture via Getty)

Brandon Nakashima started slowly in his opener but dramatically turned things around to secure a comfortable win. He was impeccable on serve, firing 21 aces without any double faults and not dropping serve at all. He won 84% of points behind his first serve and 78% of all his service points. Additionally, he hit 39 winners compared to 29 unforced errors.

Rinky Hijikata also showed great mental fortitude as he navigated through his tight opener. Although he was average on serve, he compensated with his return game, winning 42% of all return points and converting 5 out of 9 break point opportunities. He was also incredibly effective at the net, converting nearly every time he approached.

Nakashima enters this encounter as the favorite, given his stronger performance on the ATP tour this season, especially on hard courts off late. Additionally, Hijikata has also not advanced past the quarterfinals in his previous four attempts, while Nakashima has successfully progressed past this stage once.

A straight-sets victory for the American is likely if he continues to serve well and takes control of the proceedings from the get-go, like he very often has this season.

Pick: Nakashima in straight sets.