Djokovic vs Hijikata Prediction 4 November 2026
🔊 Novak Djokovic faces Rinky Hijikata in the round of 32 in Paris, and the psychology of this match should make for fascinating viewing. Hijikata is riding a wave of confidence and looks ready to chase down every ball. Djokovic, meanwhile, is having to summon his old power despite fatigue and less-than-ideal fitness. We’ll see whether the fearless youngster can rise to the occasion against a champion who looks vulnerable but remains one of the greats.
Head-to-Head
📊 Novak Djokovic has won both head-to-head meetings.
Novak Djokovic Player Overview
Novak Djokovic looks laboured right now. The ease of movement that once defined his game is missing, and the final stretch of the season appears to be taking its toll as old injuries and accumulated fatigue catch up with him. In the first round in Paris, he gave his fans a scare by dropping the opening set to Valentin Vacherot. Novak dug deep and drew on his experience to win 6-7, 7-5, 6-1, but every extended rally looked like a struggle. He is improving, though for now this looks more like survival than dominance.
Match Results: Novak Djokovic
Rinky Hijikata Player Overview
Rinky Hijikata, by contrast, is enjoying his tennis. He arrived in Paris with no pressure on his shoulders, came through qualifying with wins over Faria and Kopriva, then swept aside Darderi 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the main draw. Crucially, the Australian has not dropped a set in any of those three matches. He has adapted perfectly to the conditions, is moving superbly and looks completely relaxed. There is no shame in losing to Novak Djokovic, but pushing him would be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Match Results: Rinky Hijikata
Key factors
- Over 21.5 total games has landed in 12 of Novak Djokovic’s last 14 matches.
- Matches involving Novak Djokovic average 27.9 games.
- Rinky Hijikata has consistently won more than 9.5 games in his matches.
Expected scenario
Novak Djokovic are expected to control the tempo, but Rinky Hijikata could win enough games to push the match over the total games line. Extended sets could make this a lengthy contest, while the high average duration of Djokovic’s matches adds weight to the over.
Total Games Prediction
Novak Djokovic’s matches have gone over 21.5 games in 12 of his last 14 outings. That trend suggests that even when the Serbian has the upper hand, his matches rarely end quickly. It strengthens the case for backing over 21.5 games here.
⭐ Editor’s prediction
Novak Djokovic are still well short of their best and have made a laboured start in Paris. Djokovic made enough errors in the first round against Vacherot to fill a three-set match, so expecting a flawless win here looks optimistic. Rinky Hijikata, by contrast, have come through qualifying in superb form, settled quickly on the courts at Bercy and won all three matches without dropping a set. They should be capable of holding serve early in each set. The Australian have the freshness and confidence to make at least one set tight, perhaps even forcing a tie-break, as they did in their last head-to-head meeting in Miami. Even a 6-4, 7-5 scoreline would clear the line, but this has the makings of a long, hard-fought contest in which Hijikata will not go quietly. The pick: over 21.5 games.
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Betting Tips: Novak Djokovic - Rinky Hijikata
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