Andrey Rublev hit 29 winners to beat Rinky Hijikata 6–3, 6–3 in 77 minutes in the Hangzhou second round on September 25, 2026. The second seed advanced to the quarter-finals in his opening match.
Rublev had arrived after winning two of five matches across the North American hard-court swing. After the Hangzhou win, he said his confidence and feel improved as the match progressed following an uncertain start.
It was his 90th tour-level quarter-final. The tournament’s September 25 report placed that total ninth among active players; it was also his eighth quarter-final of the 2026 season.
His next opponent was Hugo Gaston, who needed two hours and 47 minutes to beat seventh seed Jaime Faria 4–6, 7–6(5), 6–4. Rublev and Gaston therefore entered their quarter-final after respective matches of 77 and 167 minutes.
