Reilly Opelka vs Rinky Hijikata Preview & Prediction | 2025 Madrid Open | First Round

American Reilly Opelka meets Australia's lucky loser Rinky Hijikata in the first round in Madrid.

Ranking points: ATP 1000

Start date/time: Thursday 24th April, 2025: UK – not before 10am / US ET – not before 5am / US PT – not before 2am

Venue: Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain

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 Reilly Opelka vs Rinky Hijikata ticket information

Reilly Opelka vs Rinky Hijikata prediction

Reilly Opelka’s steady rise up the rankings has him on the brink of returning to the top 100.

The towering American missed over a year of action between 2022 and 2024 and remains some way off the career-high of 17 he achieved three years ago. 

However, he’s had some eye-catching results this season, including a win over Novak Djokovic en route to the final in Brisbane.

This is just his second match on clay in 2025 having been easily despatched by Stefanos Tsitsipas in Barcelona, but if any conditions on the dirt will suit him, you’d expect it may well be in Madrid. 

He has a significant height and power advantage over lucky loser Rinky Hijikata, who has lost four of his last five matches.

The Aussie has the superior ranking and much better movement, but Opelka may well prevail if the big serve fires. 

Reilly Opelka vs Rinky Hijikata tip: Reilly Opelka to win