Djokovic’s Australian Open Hopes Diminish After Upset Loss to Opelka
Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic’s preparations for the upcoming Australian Open hit a significant snag on Friday as he was unexpectedly ousted from the Brisbane International by the towering American Reilly Opelka.
In a match that showcased Opelka’s impressive serve and tactical prowess, the 2.11-meter (six feet 11 inches) player stunned the 24-time Grand Slam champion with a score of 7-6 (8/6), 6-3. The match lasted just an hour and 40 minutes, but it left Djokovic searching for answers as he heads into the year’s first Grand Slam.
Despite his age of 37, Djokovic had expressed confidence in his ability to compete with the younger talent on the ATP tour. However, Opelka, a former world No. 17 who recently made his return to tennis after nearly two years of recovery from hip and wrist surgeries, proved too formidable. The American demonstrated that his powerful serve remained intact, delivering an impressive 16 aces while facing just one break point throughout the encounter.
“He’s the greatest player ever,” Opelka remarked about Djokovic. “The reality is we have nothing to lose coming in against him. You end up playing more freely and take a lot more risks because it’s your only chance of beating him.”
Opelka’s victory sets up a semifinal showdown against rising French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who also showcased his serving skills with a total of 75 aces in three matches. Perricard advanced by defeating Czech player Jakub Mensik in a tightly contested match, winning 7-5, 7-6 (7/5).
On the women’s side, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant form by overpowering Marie Bouzkova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. The defending champion and two-time Australian Open winner now prepares to face Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, who impressed with her victory over former world No. 2 Ons Jabeur, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).
Andreeva, at just 17 years old, showcased her potential by overcoming the tricky shotmaking of Jabeur, who had recently returned from a shoulder injury. The young star managed to break Jabeur once in the first set and fought back from two breaks in the second to force a tiebreak, which she dominated to secure the win in 90 minutes.
In the second women’s semifinal, Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova will take on Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina.
