Christopher Eubanks vs Rinky Hijikata Preview & Prediction | 2025 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships | First Round
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Australia's Rinky Hijikata faces home favourite Christopher Eubanks for a place in the second round
Ranking points: ATP 250
Start date/time: Monday 31st March, 2025: UK – not before TBC / US ET – not before TBC / US PT – not before TBC
Venue: River Oaks Country Club, Houston, USA
Surface: Outdoor clay
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel
Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Christopher Eubanks vs Rinky Hijikata ticket information
Christopher Eubanks vs Rinky Hijikata prediction
Christopher Eubanks will need to produce an upset if he is to make an impact in Houston.
The former World No.29, who has slipped outside the top 100, begins the transition to clay on the back of a disappointing last 16 exit as No.2 seed at the Challenger event in Morelia.
The 28-year-old has struggled to recapture the form that saw him back up a first ATP Tour-level title in Mallorca with a quarter-final run at Wimbledon in 2023, and his first full clay swing in 2024 saw him struggle for wins and confidence.
It’s evident grass and hard court appear to complement his big-serving style more than the dirt and this could be a tricky opener against the agile Aussie.
Hijikata has made a decent start to 2025 with a quarter-final push in Adelaide more recently followed by second-round exits in Indian Wells and Miami. The latter saw the 24-year-old Aussie come up short against Novak Djokovic, but his improved level in the second set of a 6-0 7-6 defeat to the Serb suggests he may have the more positive mindset heading into this clash with Eubanks.
We are tipping this to be tight but expect the world No.86 to move more effectively and secure a similar win to the 7-6 7-6 success over Eubanks in their only previous meeting that took place at this very tournament last year.
Christopher Eubanks vs Rinky Hijikata tip: Rinky Hijikata to win
