Rinky Hijikata advanced past Francesco Maestrelli 7-6(5), 6-4 in the opening round at ATP Indian Wells on Friday, capitalizing on the Italian’s struggles on second serve to secure a straight-sets victory. Despite Maestrelli’s superior first-serve performance and winner count, Hijikata’s ability to win 63% of points on his second serve—compared to Maestrelli’s woeful 37%—proved decisive.
The opening set went to a tiebreak after neither player could establish a break advantage. Hijikata edged it 7-5, then carried that momentum into the second set. The Australian converted 2 of 6 break point opportunities while limiting Maestrelli to just 1 of 5, creating enough separation to close out the match in straight sets. Maestrelli’s 33 unforced errors—11 more than Hijikata’s 22—ultimately undermined an otherwise competitive performance that featured 24 winners and 7 aces.
Key Takeaways
- Hijikata’s second serve proved the difference—he won 63% of those points compared to Maestrelli’s dismal 37%, a 26-percentage-point gap that decided the match.
- Maestrelli’s 33 unforced errors sabotaged an otherwise solid performance that featured 7 aces and a 74% first-serve percentage, the best mark of either player.
- The Australian converted break points at a crucial 2-for-6 clip while holding Maestrelli to just 1-for-5, giving him the narrow edge needed in a tight contest.
- Despite hitting fewer winners (21 to 24) and landing fewer first serves (58% to 74%), Hijikata won 76 total points to Maestrelli’s 71, demonstrating superior consistency when it mattered.
Player Analysis
Rinky Hijikata
The Australian’s victory was built on defensive solidity rather than overwhelming firepower. His 58% first-serve percentage was unimpressive, but he compensated by winning 73% of points when that first serve landed. More importantly, Hijikata protected his second serve exceptionally well—winning 63% of those points kept Maestrelli from gaining consistent traction on return games. With just 22 unforced errors to his opponent’s 33, Hijikata played the cleaner match when exchanges extended beyond the serve-plus-one pattern. His 2-for-6 break point conversion wasn’t spectacular, but it was enough against an opponent who couldn’t capitalize on his own opportunities.
Francesco Maestrelli
Maestrelli’s match was a tale of wasted advantages. He out-aced Hijikata 7 to 5, hit more winners (24 to 21), and landed an impressive 74% of first serves—yet still lost in straight sets. The culprit was painfully clear: a 37% second-serve points won rate that invited relentless pressure from the Australian. Those 33 unforced errors compounded the problem, turning what should have been neutral rallies into free points for his opponent. Converting just 1 of 5 break points meant Maestrelli couldn’t punish Hijikata’s lower first-serve percentage, and the tiebreak slip in the opening set proved too much to overcome. The Italian played well in patches but lacked the consistency required to close out a match this tight.
Match Statistics
| Rinky Hijikata | Stat | Francesco Maestrelli |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Aces | 7 |
| 2 | Double Faults | 2 |
| 58% | 1st Serve % | 74% |
| 73% | 1st Serve Points Won | 77% |
| 63% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 37% |
| 2/6 | Break Points Won | 1/5 |
| 21 | Winners | 24 |
| 22 | Unforced Errors | 33 |
| 76 | Total Points Won | 71 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Rinky Hijikata vs Francesco Maestrelli at Indian Wells 2026?
Rinky Hijikata defeated Francesco Maestrelli 7-6(5), 6-4 in the Round of 128 at ATP Indian Wells on March 6, 2026.
How many aces did Francesco Maestrelli hit against Rinky Hijikata?
Francesco Maestrelli hit 7 aces compared to Hijikata’s 5, but lost the match in straight sets.
What was the key statistic in Hijikata’s win over Maestrelli?
Hijikata won 63% of his second serve points while Maestrelli won just 37%, a 26-percentage-point gap that proved decisive in the straight-sets victory.
How many unforced errors did each player commit at Indian Wells?
Rinky Hijikata committed 22 unforced errors while Francesco Maestrelli had 33, giving the Australian an 11-error advantage in consistency.
What’s Next
Hijikata advances to the Round of 64 at Indian Wells, where he will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent as the draw progresses through the opening rounds of the ATP Masters 1000 event.
Follow all results: ATP Indian Wells 2026.
