Novak Djokovic Upset by Reilly Opelka at Brisbane International: Key Highlights and Semi-Final Updates

Novak Djokovic’s preparations for the upcoming Australian Open hit a roadblock on Friday as he was eliminated from the Brisbane International. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was defeated in straight sets by American Reilly Opelka, who showcased his exceptional serving and tactical gameplay. The final scoreline read 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in favor of Opelka.

Opelka’s Commanding Performance

Reilly Opelka, known for his towering height of 2.11 meters (6 feet 11 inches), utilized his formidable serve to dominate the match. The American delivered 16 aces and faced just one break point, leaving Djokovic with few opportunities to gain an upper hand.

Opelka, who had been sidelined for nearly two years due to hip and wrist surgeries, made a triumphant return to professional tennis last July. His performance against Djokovic was a testament to his ability to compete against the world’s best players.

“He’s the greatest player ever,” Opelka said, acknowledging Djokovic’s legacy. “You end up playing more freely and take a lot more risks because it’s your only chance of beating him.”

What’s Next for Opelka?

Opelka’s victory propels him to the semi-finals, where he will face French rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The 19-year-old Perricard has been equally impressive, hitting a staggering 75 aces in three matches, including a win against Jakub Mensik (7-5, 7-6).

The other men’s semi-final will see defending champion Grigor Dimitrov take on Jiri Lehecka.

Women’s Draw: Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva Shine

World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4 victory over Marie Bouzkova. The two-time Australian Open champion will now face Russian teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva.

Andreeva caused an upset by defeating former Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2). The 17-year-old demonstrated incredible mental toughness, rallying from two breaks down in the second set and dominating the tiebreak to secure her victory.

“It was mentally hard to keep pushing and playing aggressively because we all know that she’s very good at playing games—drop shots, slices,” Andreeva said after the match.

The other women’s semi-final will feature Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova against Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina.

Upcoming Australian Open

The Australian Open is set to begin on January 12, with top players using the Brisbane International as a warm-up for the year’s first Grand Slam. Djokovic, despite his early exit, remains a favorite for the tournament, while players like Sabalenka, Opelka, and Andreeva look to build on their strong performances.

As the semi-finals of the Brisbane International promise exciting clashes, all eyes will be on the players to see who carries the momentum into Melbourne.