Hijikata sweeps past Darderi in straight sets in Cincinnati

Rinky Hijikata produced a clean straight-sets win over Luciano Darderi, 6-4 6-2, in the Round of 64 in Cincinnati. The Australian's serve was the difference: 10 aces against just two double faults, and although he landed only 57.1% of his first deliveries, he won 75.0% of those points and an outstanding 76.2% behind the second ball. Darderi found the court more often, at 67.9% first serves in, but converted just 55.6% of those points, leaving him without the cushion to stay with Hijikata. It was a statement performance on hard court and a place in the next round for the Australian.