Seeds succeed at expense of Aussies in Adelaide
YESTERDAY’S Quarter Final action at the Adelaide International was a good day for the ATP favourites, but as such was not a good day for both of the Aussie hopefuls still left in the tournament.
Rinky Hijikata’s impressive run at the tournament came to an end at the hands of Tommy Paul, with the top seed beating the Aussie in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.
The win seals a 15th tour level semi final for the American, and his first since he won the title in Stockholm back in October.
If he wins his next match and makes the final, he will also jump into the top 10 in the world rankings.
“Yesterday wasn’t the prettiest match but I came out today and I picked up my level a tonne, I mean I knew had to,” Paul said, reflecting on the match.
“I watched Rinky play Goffin the other day and that was a very entertaining match. He played awesome there so I knew I had to bring it.”
Paul served double the number of aces in the match than Hijikata did, and also did not serve any double faults, which Hijikata served two of. Interestingly, the Aussie had a higher first serve in percentage but the American won a higher percentage of points off his first serve. Paul also saved a higher percentage of break points than Hijikata.
Paul’s next opponent will be Felix Auger-Aliassime, after the Canadian beat another American Marcos Giron in straight sets.
Hijikata’s countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis was unable to compete in his quarter final thanks to succumbing to an injury, handing second seed Sebastian Korda the walkover win.
In the fourth quarter final Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic also picked up a straight sets win, defeating French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi.
ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL ATP RESULTS: JANUARY 9
Tommy Paul (1) defeated Rinky Hijikata (LL) 6-3, 6-4
Sebastian Korda (2) defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis (WC) via walkover
Felix Auger-Aliassime (5) defeated Marcos Giron 7-6, 6-3
Miomir Kecmanovic defeated Benjamin Bonzi (Q) 6-2, 6-3
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