Efe/ABACAPRESS.COM// Kiko Huesca

Daniil Medvedev vs Rinky Hijikata: Olympic Tennis tournament – First round

One of the favorites for winning a medal Daniil Medvedev will take on Rinky Hijikata in the first round of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Daniil Medvedev Profile

Former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev is currently fifth in the ATP rankings. The Russian is 33-10 for the season and 9-4 on clay.

Medvedev is coming off a semifinal loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon. This season, he lost the finals at the Australian Open and Indian Wells and has yet to win a title after winning five last season.

Medvedev will also represent Russia in doubles in Paris with Roman Safiullin.

Rinky Hijikata Profile

Rinky Hijikata is 76th in the ATP rankings, six spots lower than his career high. The Australian is 16-23 for the season and 1-5 on clay.

He is coming off a 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 loss to Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round in Newport.

Hijikata played in four quarterfinals this season in Brisbane, Delray Beach, the Challenger in Acapulco, and Queen’s Club.

This is his first time playing at the Olympics.

Head-to-Head Medvedev leads 1-0

• Medvedev vs Hijikata 6-4, 6-3 (2022 ATP Los Cabos, round of 16)

Prediction and Conclusion

Daniil Medvedev is not keen on playing on clay courts, especially at this time of the season, but given the fact that it is the Olympics, the Russian will have a huge motivation to perform well in Paris. He has had a decent season despite still being without a title in 2024, and he had a solid performance at the French Open just a couple of months ago. Medvedev will start the Olympic journey against Rinky Hijikata, who has only one win on clay in 2024. The Australian is a solid young player who may find his way among the top 50 in the near future, but he is still far from the level to be a problem for Medvedev on such a big stage. The Russians will have full control of this match and win in straight sets.