Rinky Hijikata def. Gael Monfils 2-6, 7(7)-6(5), 6-3 — Cincinnati Open 2026 R128

Match recap

Rinky Hijikata defeated Gael Monfils 2-6, 7(7)-6(5), 6-3 in the R128 of the Cincinnati Open 2026.

Second serves settled it. Rinky Hijikata won 61 percent of his second-serve points to 41 for Gael Monfils, and took 39 of 66 second-return points, enough to cover a 16-3 deficit in aces. The turn came in the third. Hijikata, a returner by trade whose serve has always been the ceiling, broke in game 2 for 2-0 and again in game 6 for 5-1, while Monfils, the betting market's pick at 56 percent, logged 24 unforced errors in each of the last two sets. The 39-year-old Frenchman, a wild card himself at the Cincinnati Open, out-hit the Australian 35 winners to 29 and still finished behind on points, 109 to 114. Three hours, 52 minutes on court, and a four-match losing run dating to June at Queen's is over.

Match stats

Rinky Hijikata: 3 aces, 30 winners, 55% first serves, 4 double faults, 3/5 break points. Gael Monfils: 16 aces, 35 winners, 46% first serves, 7 double faults, 4/6 break points.

Profiles: Rinky Hijikata · Gael Monfils — Cincinnati Open 2026

Head-to-head

This is the first meeting between Rinky Hijikata and Gael Monfils.