Bublik Faces Hijikata in BNP Paribas Open Round of 32 Matchup On Monday, March 9, 2026, the BNP Paribas Open will feature a Round of 32 matchup between top-10 ranked Alexander Bublik and 117th-ranked Rinky Hijikata. The match, set to take place on hard court surfaces, has odds favoring Bublik at -450, while Hijikata is listed at +310. Analysts predict Bublik has an 81.8% chance to advance based on the implied probability from the moneyline. Bublik, the 10th-seeded player, enters the match with a strong recent performance on hard courts. Over the past 12 months, he has compiled a 25-10 record, including two tournament titles. His service game success rate on hard courts stands at 86.2%, with a 20.6% return game win rate. Bublik has also converted 39.8% of break points, ranking 37th in that category. His previous tournament appearance, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, ended in a Round of 16 loss to No. 25-ranked Tallon Griekspoor. Hijikata, the 117th-seeded player, has struggled to secure titles on hard courts in the past year, posting a 16-13 record on the surface. His service game win rate is 71.2%, while his return game win rate is 26.7%. Hijikata has converted 43.0% of break points (68 out of 158), placing him 47th in that category. His most recent tournament appearance saw a Round of 32 exit to No. 110-ranked Mattia Bellucci, with a 6-7, 3-6 loss. The match highlights the contrast between Bublik’s consistent performance and Hijikata’s recent challenges. Bublik’s ability to dominate service games and convert break points gives him a clear edge in the matchup. Hijikata, while capable, faces an uphill battle against a higher-ranked opponent with a stronger track record on hard courts.#bnparibas_open #alexander_bublik #indian_wells_tennis_garden #rinky_hijikata #tallon_griekspoor
