Following a duel of huge servers, American Reilly Opelka downs world No. 31 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straight sets to claim his 100th tour-level win, advancing to his first final in two years at Brisbane International on Saturday.
Former world No. 17 Reilly Opelka edges fellow big server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-3, 7-6(4) in one hour and 25 minutes, reaching his 7th final at tour level, his first since 2022 at Brisbane International.
“It is great to be in another final. I didn’t think I would be playing one of these at all after the past year,” Opelka stressed after guaranteeing his return to the Top 200 on Monday.
Seeking to lift his fifth ATP title on Sunday, he held nothing back when playing against the young French talent at Pat Rafter Arena, becoming the first player this new season to break the Lyon-born serve.
He made a fast start to the opener, unbothered when a scare led him to receive treatment for a wrist niggle. The 27-year-old remained focused on his goal, securing the first set with an ace to earn a 6-3 lead.
Speaking about the medical time-out, Opelka revealed: “Sometimes it happens. It started hurting a little in the second round. I tweaked it a little bit on a reaction shot, but it will be alright. I am not sweating too much.”
Over the last two years, he has been on a recovery path from injury, as he underwent hip and two wrist surgeries.
Then, a tight second set unfolded into a tiebreak that the American sealed 7-6(4) in 48 minutes to wrap up semifinal action in Brisbane.
In a match of Titans, the world No. 293 won 84 percent of the points on his first serve and 69 percent on his second delivery, saving all four break points he faced.
Furthermore, he shared a few words about the 21-year-old Frenchman, remarking: “This guy is tough. I watched him beat Sebastian Korda at Wimbledon, and it was really impressive.”
“He is an athlete and has a body like that. He serves so well and moves so well.”
Next, the 6ft 11in player will square off against Czech Jiri Lehecka, who progressed to the championship match when defending champion Grigor Dimitrov retired with injury from their semifinal clash, deep in the second set on Saturday.
In his on-court interview, the world No. 28, who has also made it through the men’s doubles final, pairing with countryman Jakub Mensik, said: “Hopefully, it can go on and on. I feel great here… these conditions suit me well. It’s just a pleasure to play here.”
The 23-year-old, looking to clinch his second ATP career title, has never met the right-handed before on tour.
Brisbane International is the first tournament Lehecka has competed in since November 2024, when he ended his season early due to injury.
In the build-up to the first major of the 2025 season, the Australian Open, Opelka kicked off his campaign at the ATP 250 event with a pulsating tennis display, maintaining his run of form, yet to drop a set at the venue.
Moreover, on his way to the title match, he stunned 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in their first-ever matchup last Friday in a high-level encounter, hitting 36 winners, over twice as much as the top seed.
