2026 Paris Masters

Luca Van Assche vs Rinky Hijikata ATP Paris Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Home hope Van Assche to win surprise quarter-final

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu. 05 Nov. 2026 22:28

Andrew Hendrie 4 hours ago

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Luca Van Assche vs Rinky Hijikata predictions for Friday's ATP Paris QF
Van Assche has a 17-3 record indoors this season
Hijikata has lost his last seven quarter-finals; Frenchman is the fav at home
The match is scheduled to start around 2.00am AEDT on Saturday November 7

Luca Van Assche v Rinky Hijikata Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Tennis > ATP Paris. T&Cs apply. Watch and bet Starts in 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.

Luca Van Assche vs Rinky Hijikata ATP Paris Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Luca Van Assche holds the upper hand over Rinky Hijikata as the pair square off for a first Masters 1000 semi-final in Paris on Friday.

Luca Van Assche vs Rinky Hijikata ATP Paris Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Van Assche vs Hijikata Predictions & Best Bets
Van Assche vs Hijikata Head To Head
Luca Van Assche Form Analysis
Rinky Hijikata Form Analysis
Van Assche vs Hijikata Live Stream

It's a huge opportunity for both players. Van Assche has surged into the top 40 following an impressive second half of 2026, while Hijikata is on the verge of a top 50 debut after stunning Novak Djokovic on his way to a maiden Masters 1000 quarter-final.

I give the edge to Van Assche. He's a young talent who is starting to build some momentum after injuries, while he'll have big home support in Paris. Hijikata will fight until the end, but I think the Frenchman will get the job done indoors, where he has a dominant record this year.

Van Assche vs Hijikata Predictions & Best Bets

Bet	Odds	Reasoning
Van Assche -2.5	$1.95 @ BetRaven	Van Assche has won 17 of his 20 matches indoors at all levels this season - he's emerged as a top 40 player over the last few months & is coming off an impressive win over an in-form Musetti. Hijikata has lost his last seven quarter-finals, with six coming in straight sets.

Van Assche vs Hijikata Head To Head

This will be the first career meeting between the pair.

Luca Van Assche Form Analysis

2026 ATP Record: 15-12
ATP Paris Record: 3-1
Current Ranking: No. 47
Career-High Ranking: No. 40 (Aug 2026)

Injuries have disrupted Van Assche's rise over the last couple of years, but he has settled into tour life and has broke inside the top 40 in the live rankings on the back of this Paris Masters quarter-final run.

Van Assche broke new ground when he won his maiden ATP title on the clay of Estoril and he's proven a big threat indoors, going 17-3 at all levels throughout the year.

After making the Lyon quarter-finals, Van Assche has advanced to his first Masters 1000 quarter-final, starting with a win over Mariano Navone before eye-catching scalps against Learner Tien and Lorenzo Musetti.

It was Musetti who beat Van Assche in Lyon, but the 22-year-old turned the tables in Paris to come away with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 triumph.

Rinky Hijikata Form Analysis

2026 ATP Record: 18-22
ATP Paris Record: 3-0
Current Ranking: No. 83
Career-High Ranking: No. 62 (2024)

Hijikata has made significant strides in 2026, putting last season's injury troubles behind him to more than double his tour-level victory tally and rebuild his ranking after dropping outside the top 100. Now, courtesy of this Paris Masters quarter-final breakthrough, he is at a career-high live ranking of No. 59 and would crack the top 50 for the first time with one more victory.

With fitness no longer proving a persistent obstacle, the Australian has delivered several standout performances throughout the campaign. He reached the fourth round at Indian Wells after defeating Alexander Bublik, while a victory over Jiri Lehecka helped propel him into the quarter-finals at Queen's Club.

Despite those encouraging results, Hijikata arrived in Paris searching for form after suffering six defeats in his previous seven tour-level outings. The 25-year-old quickly rediscovered his rhythm, cruising through qualifying without dropping a set before dispatching Luciano Darderi 6–2, 6–2 to claim his third Masters 1000 victory over the Italian this year.

However, Hijikata saved his finest performance for the following round, producing arguably the biggest win of his career against Novak Djokovic. After losing the opening set, the Australian staged a stunning comeback to prevail 2–6, 6–3, 6–3, saving all three break points he faced in the decider. The result marked Hijikata's fourth victory over a top-20 opponent in 2026 and further underlined his resurgence on the ATP Tour.

Hijikata then backed it up with another brilliant display, coming from behind to edge out Tomas Martin Etcheverry 2-6 6-3 7-5 to reach his first Masters 1000 quarter-final.