Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a landmark 100th ATP title came to an unexpected halt on Friday, as he suffered a 7-6(6), 6-3 defeat against American Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International. This loss marks a significant setback for the Serbian tennis star, who aims to join the ranks of Roger Federer (103 titles) and Jimmy Connors (109 titles) with his next win. Additionally, Djokovic is gearing up for the Australian Open, where he seeks his 25th Grand Slam trophy.
In the match, Djokovic managed to save three breakpoints under challenging conditions and even went ahead 5-4 in the opening set. However, he ultimately lost the set in a tense tiebreak, as Opelka’s powerful serve began to take control in their first-ever tour meeting. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters), Opelka’s imposing presence and aggressive play unsettled Djokovic, leading to a break of serve for a 3-1 lead in the second set.
The match concluded fittingly with Opelka serving his 16th ace, a testament to his powerful performance against one of the game’s best returners. “He’s the greatest player the sport has ever seen,” Opelka stated, reflecting on his significant victory. “It’s difficult being in Novak’s position. The reality is we have nothing to lose against him.”
Looking ahead, Opelka will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who recently showcased his serving prowess with 19 aces in a win over Jakub Mensik.
In other tournament news, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov advanced after Jordan Thompson retired while trailing 6-4, 2-1. Jiri Lehecka also progressed, winning comfortably against Nicolas Jarry, 6-4, 6-4.
In the women’s draw, reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a slow start and some forehand difficulties to defeat Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4. Next, she will face 17-year-old Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva, who eliminated Ons Jabeur with a score of 6-4, 7-6(2). Anhelina Kalinina saved a match point to defeat local wildcard Kimberly Birrell 4-6, 6-1, 7-5, securing a matchup against Polina Kudermetova, who beat Ashlyn Krueger 7-6(5), 6-3.
Djokovic’s early exit from the tournament serves as a reminder of the challenges even the greatest players face and sets the stage for an exciting continuation of the Brisbane International. Fans will be watching closely as the tournament progresses, eager to see if Opelka can build on his impressive performance against Djokovic.
