Luca Van Assche overcame a spirited Rinky Hijikata in three sets to book a semifinal clash with Ben Shelton at the Rolex Paris Masters.
Luca Van Assche secured the biggest result of his young career on Friday by defeating Australia's Rinky Hijikata in the quarterfinals of the Rolex Paris Masters. The 22-year-old Frenchman, competing in his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal, won 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5 to advance to the last four in the French capital.
The match was a test of composure as much as skill. Van Assche controlled the opening set with solid serving and aggressive returns, breaking early to take the lead. Hijikata responded with greater intensity in the second set, pushing the Frenchman into a tiebreak where he leveled the match. The deciding set remained tight until the closing stages, with Van Assche finding an extra gear to break serve and close out the victory.
For Van Assche, this run represents a significant breakthrough on the ATP Tour. Having previously shown promise on the Challenger circuit, he has now demonstrated his ability to compete against established players on one of the sport's biggest indoor stages. His resilience under pressure, particularly in the final set, suggests a maturity beyond his years.
Van Assche will next face American Ben Shelton for a place in the final. Shelton, known for his powerful left-handed game, will pose a different challenge. The semifinal promises to be a compelling contrast of styles, with Van Assche's precision and movement against Shelton's raw power. A win would send the Frenchman into his first Masters 1000 final, a remarkable achievement for a player still early in his career.
The match was a test of composure as much as skill. Van Assche controlled the opening set with solid serving and aggressive returns, breaking early to take the lead. Hijikata responded with greater intensity in the second set, pushing the Frenchman into a tiebreak where he leveled the match. The deciding set remained tight until the closing stages, with Van Assche finding an extra gear to break serve and close out the victory.
For Van Assche, this run represents a significant breakthrough on the ATP Tour. Having previously shown promise on the Challenger circuit, he has now demonstrated his ability to compete against established players on one of the sport's biggest indoor stages. His resilience under pressure, particularly in the final set, suggests a maturity beyond his years.
Van Assche will next face American Ben Shelton for a place in the final. Shelton, known for his powerful left-handed game, will pose a different challenge. The semifinal promises to be a compelling contrast of styles, with Van Assche's precision and movement against Shelton's raw power. A win would send the Frenchman into his first Masters 1000 final, a remarkable achievement for a player still early in his career.
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Source: Ouest-France