Hijikata Upsets Bublik in Thrilling BNP Paribas Open Third Round
Indian Wells, California – In a captivating third-round match at the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata defeated tenth-seeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan. The final score was 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (3-7), 6-3, in a contest lasting just over two and a half hours.
Bublik showcased moments of brilliance during the match, attempting a daring shot near the net using an unconventional racket grip, captivating the audience. Despite this, Hijikata, ranked 117th in the world, proved too strong, securing a notable victory at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Detailed match statistics reveal Bublik recorded 19 aces compared to Hijikata’s 8. Though, Hijikata demonstrated resilience, saving 6 of 7 break points. Bublik won 76.7% of his first serve points, while Hijikata secured 57.1% on his first serve. The tournament offers a total prize money pool of $9,415,725.