Rinky Hijikata is playing the best tennis of his career, Lleyton Hewitt has declared, after backing up his statement defeat of Novak Djokovic by downing Tomas Martin Etcheverry to reach his first Masters quarter-final.
The 25-year-old came from behind in Paris to beat the Argentine world No.31, who had previously beaten Alex de Minaur 2-6 6-3 7-5 in two hours, six minutes.
Besides making the last eight, where he will face local favourite Luca Van Assche, he has climbed into the world's top 60 for the first time in his career.
