Luca Van Assche vs Rinky Hijikata Betting Picks & Live Stream – Frenchman Set to Cruise Past Hijikata in Paris
- Van Assche is tipped to beat Hijikata, supported by strong home form
- Van Assche has a 40-20 record against players ranked outside the top 50 in 2026
- Under 2.5 sets is also recommended, with Van Assche expected to control the match
Luca van Assche celebrates a point against Lorenzo Musetti in Nanterre, FranceSource: Getty
Luca Van Assche has been playing the best tennis of his career over the last few months, and competing on home soil only seems to lift him further. His quarterfinal run in Lyon was followed by another impressive week at the Paris Masters, where the French crowd has clearly given him an extra spark.
Rinky Hijikata is a tough competitor, but he lacks the overall quality that Van Assche brings to the court right now. With form, home support and a clear edge in ability, the Frenchman looks well placed to take control.
Van Assche Targets Second Career Tour-Level Semifinal
- Van Assche has a 1-4 career record in tour-level quarterfinals.
- He has a 40-20 record against players ranked outside the top 50 in 2026.
- Hijikata has a 1-7 career record in tour-level quarterfinals.
- He has a 9-15 record against top-50 opponents in 2026.
HTH
This will be their first meeting.
Van Assche Continues Breakthrough Season With Musetti Upset
Luca Van Assche secured his place in the quarterfinals after defeating Lorenzo Musetti in three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. He won 80% of his first-serve points and converted three of the six break points he created during the match.
Before arriving in Paris, Van Assche had not won a main-draw match at a Masters event since 2024 and had never registered multiple victories at this level in his career.
The Frenchman started the season outside the top 150 but has made significant progress through consistent results on the Challenger circuit. Quarterfinal appearances in Marrakech and his maiden tour-level title in Estoril helped him break into the top 50.
His run in Paris has now confirmed his debut inside the top 40 in the rankings. However, he has a 1-4 career record in tour-level quarterfinals, with his only victory coming during his title-winning campaign in Estoril.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Age | Born 11 May 2004 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| World Ranking | No. 47 |
| Career High | No. 40 (24 August 2026) |
| Elo Ranking | No. 67 |
| Tour-Level Titles | 1 |
Hijikata Makes Masters Breakthrough After Back-to-Back Comebacks
Rinky Hijikata has produced two consecutive comeback victories to reach the quarterfinals in Paris. He recovered from a set down to defeat Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 before repeating the feat against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, winning 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
With this run, the Australian has become the first qualifier to reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals since Hugo Gaston in 2021. It is also the best Masters result of his career.
Hijikata enjoyed a breakthrough earlier this year, reaching the fourth round at Indian Wells, the quarterfinals at Queen's Club and the third round in Cincinnati and Winston-Salem. His progress in Paris will also see him make his debut inside the top 60 next week.
Despite his recent success, Hijikata has a 1-7 career record in tour-level quarterfinals. His only victory at this stage came in 's-Hertogenbosch in 2023, when he reached his first and only semifinal at this level.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Age | Born 23 February 2001 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| World Ranking | No. 83 |
| Career High | No. 62 (26 August 2024) |
| Elo Ranking | No. 94 |
| Tour-Level Titles | 0 |
Verdict
Van Assche is a solid pick to keep his home run going. A win for the Frenchman is the bet to lead with, and since he should be too strong to let Hijikata drag this the distance, under 2.5 sets slots in neatly alongside it.
Tomasz Wilk
Tennis Writer • 10+ Years as a Tennis Analyst & Betting Strategist
Tomasz Wilk is a tennis analyst and betting strategist with a sharp eye for momentum shifts, underdog value and live markets. His work focuses on delivering actionable insights, match previews, and betting tips across ATP and WTA tours.
Combining data and intuition, he aims to help readers stay ahead of the curve in a fast-moving betting landscape.
You can find more from Tomasz at Muckrack.
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