Numbers do not all the time give the proper info! We noticed that on Friday on the Brisbane Worldwide when world no. 293 Reilly Opelka surprised the 24-time Main winner, Novak Djokovic. Reilly ousted his idol 7-6, 6-3 in an hour and 40 minutes.
Thus, Djokovic skilled his worst defeat by way of the opponent’s rating because the retirement towards Filip Krajinovic in Belgrade 14 years in the past! It was Novak’s twenty sixth ATP match towards rivals outdoors the top-250 and his second failure.
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 3, 2025
To inform the reality, Reilly will not be an everyday world no. 293! The American is a winner of 4 ATP titles and the previous world no. 17 who needed to cease his profession as a result of accidents and setbacks. Opelka performed one match in nearly two years, having fun with issues off the courtroom.
He returned to motion final 12 months and entered Brisbane with the protected rating. The large server performed a flawless match towards Djokovic, delivering his career-best win and making an ideal begin to the season. Reilly performed in full throttle!
Reilly Opelka, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
He landed 35 winners and 30 unforced errors, taming his strokes properly and following Novak’s baseline tempo. Djokovic performed his first official match since October and couldn’t discover a correct rhythm towards such a robust rival.
Opelka fired 34 service winners and saved every thing beneath management, together with his backhand. Reilly additionally stayed targeted within the pivotal moments, sustaining a excessive stage from begin to end and shifting into the semi-final.
Djokovic couldn’t do a lot towards the rival’s serve and forehand. He additionally didn’t crack Opelka’s backhand, which left him with out choices. The best returner of all time took solely two factors on the opponent’s second serve!
Reilly Opelka & Novak Djokovic, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
Reilly denied the one break level he confronted and mounted the strain on the opposite aspect. The veteran skilled two difficult service video games. He survived the primary within the opener after denying three break factors. Djokovic missed his likelihood early within the second set.
He confronted two extra break factors within the subsequent sport and acquired damaged, sending Opelka a set and a break in entrance. The American served effectively by the tip of the duel and sealed the deal for a spot within the final 4.
The servers felt no points within the opening eight video games, with world no. 293 touchdown a service winner at 3-4 to stay on the optimistic aspect. Reilly stepped in on the return at 4-4 and generated three break probabilities. Novak saved them and held after the rival’s backhand error.
Reilly Opelka, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
The set went right into a tie break after three comfy holds. The lower-ranked participant attacked at 2-2 and fired a forehand winner for a mini-break. He missed a forehand within the seventh level, bringing Djokovic again into competition. Novak gained two factors on serve for 5-4.
Opelka landed two winners for 6-5 and a set level. The veteran saved it earlier than shedding a degree on serve at 6-6 after the opponent’s assault and a smash winner on the web. Reilly blasted an ace at 7-6, wrapping up the opener in 57 minutes and gaining a lift.
The Serb closed the second sport of the second set after deuces. He created his solely break likelihood at 1-1, and the American denied it with a serve & volley combo. World no. 293 held after world no. 7’s volley error, opening a 2-1 lead.
Novak Djokovic, Brisbane 2025© Stream screenshot
Reilly generated two break factors within the fourth sport. He painted a forehand winner on the second, shifting a set and a break in entrance and placing himself in an ideal place to seal the deal. Opelka held at 15 for 4-1 and offered one other superb maintain two video games later with a forehand winner.
The American served for the win at 5-3 and held at love with an ace, delivering a career-best victory and Djokovic’s uncommon loss towards such a low-ranked opponent.
