Rinky runs out of road as Paris romance ends
Luca Van Assche, 22, is into his first semi-final above ATP 250 level after ending the stunning run of Australian Rinky Hijikata at the Paris Masters.
Van Assche, the Estoril champion in 2026, beat qualifier Hijikata in a close quarter-final contest 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 7-5.
Hijikata has had a stellar week, upsetting seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the second round before downing Tomas Etcheverry, exacting Australia's revenge after Etcheverry had put Australian Alex de Minaur out of the tournament prior to the clash.
Van Assche earned a decisive break against Hijikata to love at 6-5 in the final set to seal the victory after two-hours and 44-minutes on court.
It's been quite a run for Van Assche this week, too. He is the second-youngest French semi-finalist in tournament history, only behind a 21-year-old Richard Gasquet in 2007, and will reach a new high point in the ATP Rankings on Monday as a result.
