In a stunning turn of events at the Brisbane International, American Reilly Opelka delivered a knockout blow to tennis legend Novak Djokovic with an emphatic 7-6(6), 6-3 victory in the quarterfinals. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history, entered the match with high expectations as he prepared for his campaign at the Australian Open later this month.
Djokovic, 37, aimed to kickstart his season with momentum at Brisbane, a tournament serving as his primary preparation for the Australian Open. With ten titles already in Melbourne, the Serbian was keen to fine-tune his game ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam. However, the American tennis star, standing at an imposing 6-foot-11, had other plans.
After reaching a career-high ranking of No. 17 in early 2022, Opelka’s career trajectory was disrupted by injuries, including hip surgery to remove a benign tumor. Ranked outside the Top 250, the American entered Brisbane as an underdog but showcased his trademark powerful serves and blistering groundstrokes.
For Djokovic, the match was a rare occasion where his wealth of experience and mental fortitude could not turn the tide. Historically, the Serbian has fared well against taller opponents, with John Isner and Ivo Karlović being among the few exceptions. However, Opelka’s relentless attacking style and precision on key points proved too much to handle.
Opelka struck an astonishing 36 winners throughout the match, landing 77% of his first serves and converting 78% of those points. The Serbian tennis star, typically dominant in extended rallies, found himself unable to counter the American’s raw power and aggression.
Opelka’s performance in the first set was particularly impressive. He served at an incredible 83% and won every point on his second serve. Despite his best efforts, Djokovic was left searching for answers.
Ranked No. 293 entering the tournament, Opelka played with freedom and confidence. He fired 16 aces and faced only one break point in the entire match. Early on, Djokovic tried to extend rallies and force the St. Joseph, Michigan native into making errors, but the American responded with clean, aggressive shot-making.
The pivotal moment came in the first-set tiebreak, where Opelka unleashed consecutive winners to claim the set 7-6(6). Djokovic’s hopes of staging a comeback were dashed early in the second set when the 27-year-old broke his serve with a blistering forehand winner down the line.
Despite glimpses of Djokovic’s trademark resilience, Opelka’s dominance on serve and his composure under pressure sealed the victory in just one hour and 41 minutes. The Serbian managed only one break-point opportunity, which the American quickly erased with a clever serve-and-volley play.
Opelka finished the match with 77% of his first serves in play, winning 78% of those points and an impressive 87% on his second serve. With such numbers, it became nearly impossible for Djokovic to gain any foothold in the match.
Reilly Opelka’s victory sets up a semifinal clash against fellow giant Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, another towering presence on the ATP Tour. At 6-foot-8, Mpetshi Perricard promises to deliver a similar brand of big-serving tennis, making for an intriguing matchup.
For Novak Djokovic, this loss will serve as a wake-up call ahead of the Australian Open. The Serb, who is chasing his 25th Grand Slam title and aiming to join Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors in the exclusive 100-title club, will need to recalibrate his game before stepping onto the courts of Melbourne Park.
Reilly Opelka’s victory over Novak Djokovic in Brisbane reminds me of tennis’s unpredictable nature. For the American tennis star, it marks a triumphant return to the spotlight after battling injuries. For the 37-year-old, it’s a setback but certainly not the end of the road. As the Australian Open looms, both players will carry their lessons from this encounter, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
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