Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata has done it. The 22-year-old booked his spot in the fourth round after a masterful display on Saturday.
Hijikata dominated his opponent Zhang Zhizhen from the outset as he claimed the 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory.
Zhang, who stunned last year’s US Open finalist Casper Ruud in the previous round, was unable to reproduce the quality of that performance against a fired-up Hijikata.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Murray & Isner knocked out of US Open | 01:22
MORE COVERAGE
‘Spitting in their face’: Star’s brutal final act rocks US Open
Demon secures win as six Aussies sent packing in brutal US Open bloodbath
America loses it over boy’s US Open antics
The Aussie unfurled a stream of 55 winners to overpower Zhang before sealing victory with his 13th ace of the match in the fourth set.
In what is only his second Grand Slam appearance the young star continues to defy belief and will now advance into the second week of the US Open where he’ll take on tenth seeded American Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe dropped the opening set of his third round encounter before storming to victory against Adrian Mannarino.
AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY 5
Zhang Zhizhen def by Rinky Hijikata 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
