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 stated. “If I hit them, it is laborious to get them again. If there’s anybody that may, it is him.”
Djokovic, 37, was enjoying his first event of the 12 months. 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 enjoying extra free and you are taking much more threat. In case you play your regular degree and even above a traditional degree, 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 a number of issues go my means, that is the way it works out.”
New coach Andy Murray will be 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 12 months to take away a benign tumor. He is now No. 293.
“It was robust. Loads of uncertainty, a number of doubt,” Opelka stated.
Within the semifinals, Opelka will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who beat Jakub Mensik 7-5, 7-6 (5). The opposite semifinal will function 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.
