Rinky Hijikata snapped a four-match losing streak with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic in the Round of 32 at the Houston ATP event on hard court. The Australian won 79% of points behind his first serve and committed half as many double faults as his American opponent, cruising through in straight sets.
Kovacevic, who reached the quarterfinals here in 2025, struggled badly with his delivery. Eight double faults and a meager 45% first-serve percentage undid whatever firepower his 14.7-per-match ace average might have suggested. Hijikata, by contrast, served with precision — 66% of first serves landed, and he struck seven aces while keeping unforced errors (18) comfortably below his opponent’s tally (25). The match featured no break points for either player, a statistical oddity that underscores how thoroughly Hijikata controlled his service games while Kovacevic faltered on his own.
After dropping the opening set 6-4, Kovacevic unraveled in the second. Hijikata piled up 24 winners to Kovacevic’s 17 and won the total points battle 66-50, sealing the rout with a 6-2 second set that lasted barely longer than a practice session.
Key Takeaways
- Hijikata’s 7 aces were well above his hard-court average of 4.4, while Kovacevic’s 3 aces represented a shocking collapse from his tour-leading 14.7-per-match average — a sign his typically dominant serve never materialized.
- Kovacevic’s 8 double faults more than doubled his 3.1 per-match average and undermined a 45% first-serve percentage that fell far below his 60% baseline, exposing critical inconsistency under pressure.
- Hijikata won 79% of first-serve points, a ruthlessly efficient mark that eclipsed Kovacevic’s 63% and allowed the Australian to control every exchange on his own terms.
- The statistical quirk of zero break points for either player reflects Hijikata’s ironclad hold percentage against an opponent whose service games, while never broken, were riddled with errors and weak second deliveries.
Player Analysis
Rinky Hijikata
Hijikata’s performance was a textbook example of how reliability trumps flash on hard courts. Coming off a brutal 1-4 stretch that included losses to Tiafoe, Vacherot, and Davidovich Fokina, he simplified his approach: land the first serve, minimize mistakes, and let Kovacevic self-destruct. His 66% first-serve percentage and 79% points won behind it represent a significant improvement over his 60% season average, and his 18 unforced errors stayed comfortably below his 24.2 per-match baseline. The 24 winners were close to his 25.4 average, suggesting he didn’t overreach — he just executed cleaner than his opponent.
What stands out is how Hijikata never faced a break point. That’s partly due to strong serving, but also because Kovacevic was too busy digging himself out of 0-30 holes to apply return pressure. Hijikata advanced without needing to showcase his 42.9% break-point conversion rate, a luxury afforded by an opponent who gifted him 16 more total points.
Aleksandar Kovacevic
This was a nightmare outing for Kovacevic, whose serve — typically his greatest weapon — betrayed him at every turn. His 14.7-per-match ace average is among the tour’s highest, yet he managed just 3 here. The 8 double faults were more than double his 3.1 average, and a 45% first-serve percentage is borderline catastrophic for a player who relies on free points. When only 63% of those first serves yielded won points, the math became insurmountable. His 52% second-serve points won was barely coin-flip territory, leaving him vulnerable on every deuce point.
Kovacevic’s 17 winners were dwarfed by Hijikata’s 24, and his 25 unforced errors matched his season average but felt heavier in context — he couldn’t afford mistakes when his serve wasn’t bailing him out. Having reached the quarterfinals here in 2025, this first-round exit represents a steep regression. The absence of break points suggests neither player was particularly sharp on return, but Kovacevic’s inability to hold comfortably sealed his fate.
Match Statistics
| Rinky Hijikata | Stat | Aleksandar Kovacevic |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Aces | 3 |
| 2 | Double Faults | 8 |
| 66% | 1st Serve % | 45% |
| 79% | 1st Serve Points Won | 63% |
| 55% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 52% |
| 24 | Winners | 17 |
| 18 | Unforced Errors | 25 |
| 66 | Total Points Won | 50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Rinky Hijikata vs Aleksandar Kovacevic at Houston 2026?
Rinky Hijikata defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-2 in the Round of 32 at the Houston ATP tournament on April 1, 2026.
How many double faults did Aleksandar Kovacevic commit against Hijikata?
Kovacevic hit 8 double faults, more than double his season average of 3.1 per match and four times as many as Hijikata’s 2 double faults.
What percentage of first-serve points did Rinky Hijikata win in Houston?
Hijikata won an impressive 79% of his first-serve points, significantly higher than Kovacevic’s 63% and a key factor in the straight-sets victory.
Who won the Houston 2026 Round of 32 match?
Rinky Hijikata won the match in dominant fashion, defeating Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-2 with superior serving and fewer unforced errors.
What’s Next
Hijikata advances to the Round of 16, where he’ll look to build on this confidence-restoring win after a difficult month. Kovacevic, meanwhile, heads home empty-handed despite entering Houston with recent momentum from his Indian Wells run.
Head-to-head history: Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Rinky Hijikata.
