Reilly Opelka stuns Novak Djokovic in Brisbane's intense match.© (@infosportplus )
Top seed Novak Djokovic faced a stunning exit at the Brisbane International after a straight-set loss to American Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals. Opelka, ranked 293rd in the world, delivered a fearless performance to win 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 in one hour and 40 minutes, denying Djokovic the chance to claim his 100th ATP title. The match began as a closely fought battle, with both players trading blows in the opening set. However, Opelka edged the tie-break 8-6 and carried his momentum into the second set, where he dominated with his powerful serve and aggressive play.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Opelka, who has been recovering from hip and wrist surgeries that sidelined him for nearly two years. Reflecting on the win, Opelka admired Djokovic while explaining the mental freedom of facing the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “Novak is the greatest tennis player ever, but being in his position is tough. We have nothing to lose against him, so we play more freely and take risks. If you play at your normal level, he wins every time,” Opelka said. He also credited his time away from the sport as a source of motivation, adding, “Watching my friends compete and seeing Novak become the greatest kept me inspired during a challenging period.”
Opelka will now face France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the semi-finals after the Frenchman defeated Jakub Mensik 7-5, 7-6 (7-5). Meanwhile, Djokovic will shift his focus to the Australian Open, where he aims to secure an 11th title under the guidance of new coach Andy Murray. Despite the setback, Djokovic remains a strong contender for the Grand Slam tournament, which will start later this month.
In the other men’s semi-final, defending Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov advanced after Jordan Thompson retired due to injury. Dimitrov will take on Jiri Lehecka, who secured a 6-4, 6-4 win over Nicolas Jarry to book his place in the final four.
The women’s draw also delivered thrilling action as world number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4 to secure her place in the semi-finals. Sabalenka fought back after losing her serve in the opening game, using her powerful groundstrokes to take control of the match. The victory keeps Sabalenka on track for her 18th career title and sets up an exciting semi-final clash against 17-year-old Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva. The two players last met at the 2024 French Open, where Andreeva pulled off a stunning upset to reach the semi-finals, becoming the youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist since Martina Hingis in 1997.
Sabalenka praised her young opponent, calling her a “remarkable talent” and expressing excitement for their upcoming encounter. “I respect her game and look forward to another tough match,” Sabalenka said. For Andreeva, the semi-final berth continues her impressive rise on the WTA Tour as she aims to add another chapter to her breakthrough season.
The second women’s semi-final will feature Russia’s Polina Kudermetova against Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina. Both players demonstrated strong form in their previous matches, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle for a place in the final.
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As the Brisbane International approaches its conclusion, the competition remains fierce. Top players and emerging talents are delivering unforgettable performances on their journey toward the coveted titles.
