Rinky Hijikata vs Grigor Dimitrov Prediction & Betting Tips - Brisbane International

Prediction published on 04/01/2024, 03:27  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 04/01/2024 at 17:55 in Tennis Predictions

Second seed Grigor Dimitrov will next, at the Brisbane International tournament, square off with the wildcard Rinky Hijikata. The winner of this quarterfinal tie will then advance to take on either Jordan Thompson, Rafael Nadal, or Jason Kubler in the semifinals. Rinky Hijikata is making his debut here and has enjoyed the backing of the home crowd. The Australian defeated compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets in the first round. He would contest his toughest match yet in the second round as he was forced to come from behind to beat Tomas Machac. The third set in that tie required a tiebreaker as did the opening set of his first-rounder. Hijikata is a strong performer on hard courts and last season registered 37 of his total 46 season wins on the surface. He is currently ranked 71st in the ATP.

Grigor Dimitrov had one of his best seasons at tour level last year and seems to have carried that momentum to this year. The Bulgarian won 43 matches in 64 outings. It was only the fourth time in his career that he had won at least 40 matches in a season. This form allowed him to secure a top 20 finish and is now ranked 14th in the ATP. The former world number three, who was a finalist in Paris in his last tour tournament, is in his eighth appearance here. He won the title in 2017 and has at least four times made the semifinals. Dimitrov defeated two-time Brisbane champion Andy Murray in the first round in three sets. He was more dominant in the second round as he lost just three games to the unseeded Daniel Altmaier.