Rinky Hijikata vs Ben Shelton Head-to-Head Stats, Results & Performance Comparison

• Second Serve Performance: Shelton has a stronger recent record with second serves, winning 50.96% of points compared to Hijikata's 46.57%. Could this be a decisive factor in the match prediction?
• Return Game Stats: Hijikata outperforms Shelton in returning opponents' second serves, showing a 44.37% success rate over Shelton's 40.71%. In first serve returns, Hijikata also leads with 27.17% versus Shelton's 23.09%.
• Under Pressure: When facing breakpoints, Shelton has slightly outperformed Hijikata, saving 57.27% compared to Hijikata's 56.43%. This could influence tight moments in the match.
• Performance Overview: Over the past year, Shelton has won 60.61% of their matches, which edges out Hijikata's 52.94% success rate.
• Best Surface: Shelton excels on indoor hard courts with a 77% win rate, while Hijikata prefers hard surfaces, achieving a 63% success rate. How will they adapt if the match surface changes?
• Competition Level: Shelton has faced higher-ranked opponents, playing more frequently on the Main Tour, whereas Hijikata has mainly competed in Challenger and ITF events, achieving a higher win percentage in these settings.
• Head-to-Head: Shelton leads their head-to-head encounters 2-1, winning four out of six sets. Their last meeting saw Shelton victorious on grass, winning 6-4 6-0.
• Match Duration: On average, their matches last 1 hour and 28 minutes, although they've never played a deciding set against each other.
• Deciding Set Performance: In the past year, if a match reaches a deciding set, Hijikata performs slightly better, having won 64% compared to Shelton's 58%.
• Breaking Opportunities: Hijikata has been marginally better at converting breakpoints with a 30.96% conversion rate compared to Shelton's 28.99%.

Editorial Prediction (July 4, 2025, UTC):

As Shelton prepares to face Hijikata, several key statistics highlight their competitive dynamics. Shelton is stronger on second serves and overall match wins over the past year, indicating a slight upper hand in fundamental gameplay aspects.

However, Hijikata's ability to return serves and convert breakpoints more efficiently poses a significant threat, especially if the match evolves into long rallies or pressure situations. The past head-to-heads favor Shelton, yet Hijikata's consistent breakpoint conversion might lead to unexpected game-changing moments.

Considering surface preferences, Shelton's proficiency on indoor hard surfaces could be beneficial unless the playing conditions shift advantageously toward Hijikata's strengths. Given Shelton's experience against higher-ranked opponents, they seem better poised for high-stakes play.

Ultimately, while both players bring unique strengths, the statistical advantage in key areas like second serves and historical wins slightly tilts the matchup in favor of Shelton.

Shelton is the likely winner of this upcoming tennis match, but Hijikata's resilience should not be underestimated.