HSBC Championships 2026: Rinky Hijikata shocks second seed Jiri Lehecka to move into quarter-finals
• 3 minute read
Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata battled through three sets to defeat 2025 finalist Jiri Lehecka and reach his second quarter-final at The Queen’s Club.
Hijikata is the first man to reach multiple Queen’s Club quarter-finals as a qualifier after beating Lehecka 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(7) in two hours and 49 minutes on the Andy Murray Arena.
Although Lehecka had won all four of their encounters in juniors, the Australian now leads their head-to-head 1-0 after today’s battle. He dug deep to take control of the match after going a set down, refusing to let the world No.12 run away with it and found a way to win in the big moments.
Hijikata has a history of fighting back in tough moments, having rallied from a set down three times to reach his ATP Tour semi-final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 2023 as a lucky loser. That run came just ahead of his previous quarter-final appearance in West London as a qualifer.
Earlier this year, he also qualified for Indian Wells where he eventually lost out to Cam Norrie in the fourth round.
“I love playing on grass” The Australian said after the match. “It feels like home being back here in London. I love playing at this venue, at this tournament. I’m just pumped to be here.
“This is one of my favourite courts in the world, I got to play out here a few times a couple years ago and then unfortunately missed this tournament last year. Just so pumped to be back, these are the moments you play for.”
Three key stats
- Increased attack: Hijikata raised his time in attack from 18% in the first set to 26% in the final two
- Converting chances: In the second and third set his conversion score 72% versus the draw average of 68%
- Tactical switch: Hijikata varied his forehand direction 49% to deuce side versus 51% advantage side in the final two sets
Lehecka made a strong start, immediately picking up a break and maintaining that advantage to take the opener with relative ease.
The Czech star struck first again in the second, but this time Hijikata had the answers, capitalising on his opponent’s errors to recover the deficit.
Despite missing a chance to serve out the set at 5-4, the world No.104 created two set points on Lehecka’s serve - finally getting over the line with an impressive backhand winner down the edge of the court.
Hijikata then showed resilience early in the decider, saving break points in the opening game as both players held serve to force a tie-break.
After letting a 3-1 lead slip and failing to convert his first three match points, the Australian held his nerve, sealing victory with a big unreturned serve down the T to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Lead partners
Event partners
Official broadcast partners
Official tour partners
