It’s quarter-final time at the Winston Salem Open. Will Australian Rinky Hijikata dominate proceedings, or his Belgian rival David Goffin? This match has all the makings of a classic duel between an up-and-coming youngster and his more experienced opponent trying to recapture his glory days.
Read on for our Hijikata vs Goffin prediction and betting tips as we break down this match and outline the best wagers to make.
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Player Form: Hijikata Had the Tougher Path
Hijikata was made to sweat in his Round of 16 match before edging past Coric in three sets. Even in his previous match against Cazaux, Hijikata needed three sets to win, the last one ending in a tie-breaker.
By contrast, Goffin thrashed Rinderknech in straight sets to set up his quarter-final meeting with the Aussie. Goffin did not have an easy start to the tournament, beating the Spaniard Munar in a three setter. However, in the next match, he swept aside fifth seed Darderi in a display of his best form.
How the Bookies View It: Goffin Has this One
Not surprisingly, bookmaker Betfred favours Goffin to prevail over his 16th-seeded rival. While Hijikata pays 32/25 to win, Goffin tips the bookmaker’s scale at 17/27.
Recent Head-to-Head: Advantage Goffin
The upcoming match will be the first meeting between the two players. Overall, Goffin has a better record on all surfaces.
In 2024, the Belgian has enjoyed a win-loss ratio of 37-22 across all events, while Hijikata has registered a 21-26 stat. Furthermore, Goffin has had a positive 17-8 record compared to Hijikata’s 14-14 showing on outdoor hard courts.
Specifically, the Belgian is a better player on outdoor hard-court surfaces. In 2024, Hijikata has won 11 and lost 10 matches in 11 hard-court competitions. By contrast, Goffin has registered 16 wins against only seven losses in eight tournaments on hard courts. Admittedly, much of this was at the lower level.
Anything Else Catch the Eye?
At No. 65, Hijikata enjoys a much higher ATP ranking than Goffin at No. 90. However, not so long ago in 2022, Goffin was ranked No. 40. The Belgian is three matches away from his seventh ATP title that could help boost his ranking.
Hijikata vs Goffin Betting Tips & Predictions
We believe that Goffin will prevail over Hijikata in straight sets. Though the players have not yet met on a tennis court, Goffin has more experience and should pull through in this one.
- Goffin to win @ 16/25
- Goffin to win 2-0 @ 8/5
Bren is our resident Kiwi, and has been playing or watching sports down under in New Zealand for the better part of three decades. With 12+ years experience as a professional writer, Bren loves to dive deep into all things sport to bring the best betting analysis and predictions here at Mr Fixits Tips.
