Tommy Paul shook off a sluggish start to defeat Rinky Hijikata 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in the French Open first round on Sunday. The American, who reached the quarter-finals here last year, won 140 total points to Hijikata’s 123 and dominated on serve with 13 aces—more than triple his clay court average of 4.1 per match.
Hijikata, arriving with a dismal 2-8 record in his last 10 matches, seized the opening set behind a 71% first-serve win rate. But Paul’s second serve became the decisive weapon: he won 62% of second-serve points compared to Hijikata’s woeful 41%, a 21-percentage-point chasm that allowed the American to dictate play from the baseline. Paul broke serve five times and steadily wore down the Australian’s resistance across the final three sets.
The match turned in the third set, where Paul converted a critical break at 5-5 and held to take the two-sets-to-one lead. From there, Hijikata—who has now lost nine of his last 10 clay court matches—had no answer. Paul closed out the fourth set at 6-4, sealing his place in the second round and extending his solid clay form after reaching the Hamburg final just two days prior.
Key Takeaways
- Paul’s ace count of 13 was more than triple his clay court average of 4.1 per match, giving him easy points on a surface where free points are scarce.
- The American won 62% of second-serve points while Hijikata managed just 41%—a 21-percentage-point gap that proved decisive as rallies lengthened.
- Hijikata entered with a 2-8 record in his last 10 matches and extended his clay court misery to 1-9 in his last 10 on the surface, unable to build any momentum after winning the opening set.
- Paul converted 5 of 11 break point opportunities (45%) while Hijikata managed only 3 of 12 (25%), a gap that decided the tight third and fourth sets.
Player Analysis
Tommy Paul
Paul’s ability to reset after dropping the first set underscored his growing maturity on clay. His 13 aces were a revelation on the slow Roland Garros surface, and his second serve—winning 62% of points—became a weapon rather than a liability. The American, who reached the quarter-finals here in 2025, showed no signs of rust despite playing the Hamburg final just two days earlier. His 48 winners and steady break point conversion (5 of 11) demonstrated the aggressive baseline tennis that has made him a force on European clay this spring.
Paul’s 51 unforced errors were higher than ideal, but the willingness to take risks paid off as he out-hit Hijikata from the baseline. His experience at this venue—five match wins in 2025 before a quarter-final exit to Carlos Alcaraz—was evident in his composure when the third set hung in the balance at 5-5.
Rinky Hijikata
Hijikata’s opening set was a mirage. The Australian served brilliantly early, winning 71% of first-serve points, but his second serve collapsed under pressure. Winning just 41% of second-serve points left him vulnerable whenever Paul forced him into longer rallies, and his 3-of-12 break point conversion rate (25%) was abysmal. Hijikata’s recent form—2-8 in his last 10 matches, with only one win since mid-January—was painfully evident as the match wore on.
The 25-year-old’s clay court struggles are now well-documented: 1-9 in his last 10 on the surface, and exiting in the first round at Roland Garros for the second consecutive year. His 52 unforced errors matched Paul’s aggression, but without the winner output to compensate (39 to Paul’s 48), he had no offensive answer when momentum shifted.
Match Statistics
| Tommy Paul | Stat | Rinky Hijikata |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Aces | 6 |
| 3 | Double Faults | 2 |
| 59% | 1st Serve % | 64% |
| 67% | 1st Serve Points Won | 71% |
| 62% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 41% |
| 5/11 | Break Points Won | 3/12 |
| 48 | Winners | 39 |
| 51 | Unforced Errors | 52 |
| 140 | Total Points Won | 123 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Tommy Paul vs Rinky Hijikata at the French Open 2026?
Tommy Paul defeated Rinky Hijikata 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in the first round of the French Open 2026 on May 25.
How many aces did Tommy Paul hit against Rinky Hijikata?
Tommy Paul hit 13 aces, more than double Hijikata’s 6, and well above his clay court average of 4.1 aces per match.
Who won the French Open 2026 first round match between Paul and Hijikata?
Tommy Paul won in four sets after dropping the opening set, advancing to the second round at Roland Garros.
What was the key stat in Tommy Paul’s win over Rinky Hijikata?
Paul won 62% of second-serve points compared to Hijikata’s 41%—a 21-percentage-point advantage that proved decisive in the final three sets.
What’s Next
Paul advances to the second round at Roland Garros, where he will look to build on his quarter-final appearance from 2025. The American’s recent clay form—including a Hamburg final run—suggests he is peaking at the right time for a deep run in Paris.
Follow all results: French Open 2026.
Head-to-head history: Rinky Hijikata vs Tommy Paul.
