Jakub Mensik vs Rinky Hijikata ATP Cincinnati Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Hijikata no pushover in Cincy
Jakub Mensik faces Rinky Hijikata in a high-stakes third-round clash at ATP Cincinnati. Hijikata excels on North American hardcourts and has held his own against top 20 players. Mensik, while more volatile and prone to losing sets against lower-ranked opponents, has superior firepower and is tipped to edge the contest in three sets. Expect a competitive match, with Hijikata likely to win a set. You can stream the match live through Unibet with appropriate account access.
- Jakub Mensik vs Rinky Hijikata predictions for Monday's ATP Cincinnati R3 match
- Hijikata 2-2 vs top 20 in 2026 - Aussie backed to win a set in competitive contest
- Mensik consistently pushed by lower-ranked players, but tipped to prevail in three
- The match is scheduled to start around 5.00am AEST on Tuesday August 18
Jakub Mensik v Rinky Hijikata Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Tennis > ATP Cincinnati. T&Cs apply.
Watch and bet
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
Jakub Mensik vs Rinky Hijikata ATP Cincinnati Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Rinky Hijikata produces his best tennis on North American hardcourts and has gone 2-2 vs top 20 players this season - I'm backing the Aussie to cover a big +5.5 start with Over 20.5 total games and he's also capable of taking a set. But, ultimately, Jakub Mensik is the superior player with bigger weapons and more firepower - the Czech represents decent value to survive in three sets on Monday in this Cincinnati Masters third round showdown.
After some injury troubles last season, Hijikata has done well to get himself back into the top 100 and I think if he maintains his current level, the Aussie could eclipse his career-high ranking of No. 62 by the end of the year.
A nice run to the third round in Cincinnati is more good progress for Hijikata, who now owns two wins over Luciano Darderi this season after demolishing the Italian in the second round for the loss of just six games.
Hijikata has certainly proven a more difficult opponent for elite players this season and I think his rock solid baseline game could spell some trouble for Mensik, who remains a pretty volatile player at just 20 years of age.
Mensik has proven he can beat anyone on tour, but his consistency is still a work in progress and that's illustrated through the Czech dropping 1+ set in eight of his 11 matches against players outside the top 90 this year.
That shows Mensik has trouble focusing and staying the course against lower-ranked opposition, where he's not forced to be 'locked in' throughout. The Czech's talent and firepower should see him through here, but Hijikata can make this a very competitive third round contest.
Mensik vs Hijikata Stats & Trends
- Mensik has lost 1+ set in eight of his 11 matches in 2026 vs players outside the top 90
- Mensik has lost 1+ set in 11 of his last 15 matches
- Hijikata has won 1+ set in eight of his last 10 matches
- Hijikata is 2-2 vs top 20 players this season, with three of the four going three sets
Mensik vs Hijikata Head To Head
This will be the first career meeting between the pair.
Jakub Mensik Form Analysis
- 2026 ATP Record: 29-14
- ATP Cincinnati Record: 2-1
- Current Ranking: No. 16
- Career-High Ranking: No. 12 (March 2026)
Mensik has already proven he can thrive at Masters 1000 level, capturing the Miami title last season and establishing himself as one of the game's brightest young stars.
The Czech enjoyed another major breakthrough earlier this year at Roland Garros, where he defeated Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev and João Fonseca on his way to a maiden Grand Slam semi-final.
The 20-year-old also impressed during the opening months of the season, winning the Auckland title and recording a standout victory over Jannik Sinner in Doha. However, his form cooled after Paris, with early exits at Queen's Club, Wimbledon and Washington interrupting his momentum.
Mensik got back to some decent form in Montreal last week, advancing to the quarter-finals before being blown away by eventual champion Ben Shelton. It wasn't an easy opener in Cincinnati for Mensik, who toiled away and snuck through in a deciding set tiebreak against Mattia Bellucci, 7-5 2-6 7-6(5).
Rinky Hijikata Form Analysis
- 2026 ATP Record: 12-15
- ATP Cincinnati Record: 2-0
- Current Ranking: No. 95
- Career-High Ranking: No. 62 (2024)
Despite coming into this tournament barely inside the top 100, it's been an encouraging season for Hijikata and I think he'll be feeling confident to register some more good results on hardcourt for the remainder of 2026.
Hijikata was 0-16 vs top 20 players before this year, but he's gone 2-2 in 2026, including beating Alexander Bublik on his way to the fourth round of Indian Wells and Jiri Lehecka as he reached the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 event in Queens.
The Aussie also made the fourth round of the US Open a couple of years ago, so he loves playing in this part of the world, where he honed his game playing college tennis.
Hijikata was on a four-match losing streak before arriving in Cincinnati, where he received a wildcard into the main draw and justified that selection, beating Gael Monfils in three sets in the opening round before a convincing 6-4 6-2 victory over Darderi, beating the Italian in a Masters 1000 tournament for the second time this year.
Mensik vs Hijikata Live Stream
Watch and bet on Jakub Mensik vs Rinky Hijikata live tennis from Cincinnati.
You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > ATP Cincinnati with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.
Verdict
Hijikata can make a real match out of this, but Mensik is favoured to edge it in three.
Hijikata +5.5 & O/20.5
Games Line & Total Games
$1.65 - 3 Units
Same Game & Race Multis
Use affiliate code BETSAU
Exciting new betting app now live. Use code BETSAU on sign-up. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Hijikata
To Win A Set
$2.00 - 2 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU
Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.
Mensik 2-1
Set Betting
$3.75 - 1 Unit
Lightning fast betting
Join with code BETSAU
18+. T&Cs apply
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
17 August 2026
- Alex de Minaur vs Arthur Fery -
- Tennis
- Jakub Mensik vs Rinky Hijikata -
- Tennis
18 August 2026
- Amanda Anisimova vs Alexandra Eala -
- Tennis
- Grafton - August 18 -
- Horse Racing
- Ballarat Synthetic - August 18 -
- Horse Racing
- SD Raiders vs Sydney FC -
- Soccer
22 August 2026
- Winx Stakes -
- Horse Racing
Load More
-11096727.jpg/w=300)
-10094660.jpg/w=300)
