Prediction of Rinky Hijikata vs Yi Zhou at Jinan Challenger 10-09-25

• In terms of second serve performance over the past 6 months, Yi Zhou slightly edges out Rinky Hijikata with a win percentage of 47.91% compared to Hijikata's 47.36%.
• Return game stats show that Rinky Hijikata has a marginal advantage over Yi Zhou on opponent second serves, with a win percentage of 44.52% against Zhou's 44.42%.
• When it comes to first serve returns, Hijikata also leads at 27.36% compared to Zhou's 24.93%. Could this give Hijikata an edge?
• Both players are comparable in saving breakpoints, with Zhou slightly ahead, saving 59.22% compared to Hijikata’s 58.62%.
• Overall win-loss records favor Rinky Hijikata, who has a better winning percentage (54.10% vs. Zhou's 45.83%) over the last year.
• Both players excel on hard courts with similar win rates (63%), but Zhou struggles on indoor hard courts with a 0% win rate.
• Rinky Hijikata has had more success in higher-level Challengers/ITF tournaments, winning 76.92% of his matches compared to Zhou's 47.06% at the same level.
• The quality of opponents faced favors Hijikata, as he played against higher-ranked opponents (average rank of 176.74) compared to Zhou (average rank of 324.29).
• In deciding set scenarios, Hijikata shows better resilience with a 55% win rate over the last 12 months, significantly higher than Zhou's 30%.

Editorial Prediction (October 8, 2025, UTC):

When examining both players' recent performances, it is clear that Rinky Hijikata holds slight advantages in several key areas. Despite Yi Zhou's marginal edge in second serve success, Hijikata’s better return stats can help balance the scale in his favor.

Rinky Hijikata's greater success in high-level tournaments and his experience against more competitively ranked opponents also suggest he might be better equipped for this matchup. His performance in deciding sets further indicates a psychological edge under pressure.

Considering these factors, alongside his superior current win-loss record, Hijikata is the likely favorite to emerge victorious in this upcoming match. Expect him to utilize his strengths effectively against Yi Zhou.