Impact in Brisbane: Opelka took out Djokovic

ByDavid Mitchell
Impact in Brisbane: Opelka took out Djokovic

First impact of the year. Novak Djokovic (7th in the world ranking) fell before Reilly Opelka (293°) for the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 in Brisbanein what was the first confrontation between the two.

The North American was out of the circuit for a couple of years due to injury but did not lose the power of service during this time. First victory against a Top Ten since August 2021: 7-6 (3) and 6-3.

The Serbian arrived with good rhythm and two victoriesLocal Rinky Hijikata (73rd) and Frenchman Gael Monfils (55th) in straight sets.

But, on the other side, there was a sleeping giant who dawned andn the right moment. So far this season he has accumulated no less than 50 aces counting the two games he played. Before Nole he had to defeat the Argentine Federico Gómez (137th) and the Italian Matteo Arnaldi (37th).

Now waiting for him is Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, winner of Jakub Mensik 7-5 and 7-6 (5).

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.