On Friday night, American Reilly Opelka stunned 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic, serving out the match to claim a 7-6(6), 6-3 win after one hour and 40 minutes to reach the Brisbane International semifinals in his comeback journey to tour-level competition.
Assessing their first-ever meeting on tour, the former world No. 17 commented: “He’s the greatest player ever, so you end up playing more freely, and you take a lot more risk because it’s your only chance; if you play your normal level, or even above your normal level, he is going to win every time.”
The four-time ATP titlist won 78 percent of the points on his first serve and 87 percent on his second delivery.
Competing with a protected ranking, the world No. 293 made the most of his chances, recording his first top-10 win since 2021, starting the new season on a high note.
The 27-year-old, who missed the last two years striving with wrist and hip injuries, which required surgery, advanced to the semifinals without dropping a set, making good use of his trademark booming serve.
On Saturday, Opelka will play Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who has impressed his opponents with his serve style.
He opened his campaign at the tournament, defeating home hope and huge-serving Nick Kyrgios, playing his first singles match at tour level since September 2023.
During his post-match press conference, the former Wimbledon finalist spoke about the Frenchman, asserting: “He’s a hell of a player. I have played Ivo Karlovic, John Isner, Milos Raonic, all the big servers, and he’s got the biggest serve by far. That was interesting. And it sucked.”
The 21-year-old overall game led him to make 2024 a breakthrough season, fast-rising from world No. 205 a year ago to finish 2024 ranked at No. 31, but his excellence on serve is stealing the spotlight.
The Lyon native made it through the last four, following straight-set victories over four seed Frances Tiafoe and Czech Jakub Mensik.
The first semifinal on Saturday will feature defending champion Grigor Dimitrov against world No. 28 Jiri Lehecka.
Then, the winner of an intriguing semifinal contest between dominant servers Opelka and the young French sensation will power into the final in Brisbane.