Novak Djokovic falls to Reilly Opelka in Brisbane quarterfinals

BRISBANE, Australia — Novak Djokovic was crushed 7-6 (6), 6-3 by big-serving Reilly Opelka within the Brisbane Worldwide quarterfinals on Friday.

Opelka served 16 aces — together with one to complete off every set — to earn one of many largest wins of the American’s profession.

“I used to be simply centered on my spots,” Opelka mentioned. “If I hit them, it is onerous to get them again. If there’s anybody that may, it is him.”

Djokovic, 37, was taking part in his first event of the yr. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is getting ready for the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 12 and which he has received 10 instances.

“Now we have nothing to lose coming in in opposition to him. He is the best participant ever,” Opelka added. “So you find yourself taking part in extra free and you’re taking much more danger. Should you play your regular stage and even above a standard stage, he will win each time. So it is robust in his place as a result of he will get guys which are good gamers that they roll the cube. And on a on a day like this when quite a lot of issues go my approach, that is the way it works out.”

New coach Andy Murray will be a part of Djokovic in Melbourne.

Opelka achieved a career-high rating of No. 17 in Feb. 2022 earlier than present process hip surgical procedure later that yr to take away a benign tumor. He is now No. 293.

“It was robust. A number of uncertainty, quite a lot of doubt,” Opelka mentioned.

Within the semifinals, Opelka will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who beat Jakub Mensik 7-5, 7-6 (5). The opposite semifinal will characteristic Jiri Lehecka in opposition to Grigor Dimitrov.

Lehecka beat Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 6-4, and Dimitrov superior when Jordan Thompson retired whereas Dimitrov was forward 6-1, 2-1.