Novak Djokovic Falls to Reilly Opelka as Aryna Sabalenka Cruises into Semis
In a surprising turn of events at the Brisbane International, Novak Djokovic was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Reilly Opelka, suffering a 7-6 (6), 6-3 defeat. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka sailed through to the semi-finals with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 victory over Marie Bouzkova.
Djokovic, aiming for his 100th career title, seemed out of sorts throughout the match. He struggled to find his rhythm against the powerful Opelka, who played with incredible precision and confidence. The Serbian star’s performance was lackluster, failing to impose himself on the match, and as a result, he was punished for his mistakes. The defeat marks another missed opportunity for Djokovic, who now shifts his focus to the Australian Open, the bigger priority on his radar. He will soon team up with Andy Murray for their first tournament together in Melbourne.
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On the other hand, Reilly Opelka was a force to be reckoned with. The American, who stands at an imposing 6ft 11in, relied heavily on his monstrous serve, which proved nearly impossible for Djokovic to return. Opelka fired off 16 aces and faced just one break point throughout the match. His impressive performance saw him secure his first-ever win over Djokovic, something that Opelka himself acknowledged. In an emotional reflection, Opelka admitted that playing against Djokovic, often regarded as the greatest player in tennis history, inspired him to take more risks. It was clear that Opelka’s mentality was one of freedom, knowing he had little to lose and everything to gain.
This victory is significant for Opelka, who has been on a lengthy journey to return to the top of the sport. After undergoing wrist surgeries and a hip operation, Opelka was sidelined from the ATP tour for nearly two years. The win over Djokovic marks a major milestone in his comeback, as he continues to rebuild his career from a protected ranking, currently sitting at No 293.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka is continuing her impressive run as she heads toward the Australian Open, where she will defend her title. With 26 wins from her last 27 matches in Australia, including two consecutive Australian Open titles, Sabalenka is in fine form. In her match against Bouzkova, she showcased clinical control, easily dispatching her opponent in straight sets. Sabalenka has yet to drop a set in her first three matches of the year, setting her up as a strong contender for the upcoming Australian Open.
Sabalenka’s next challenge will be a semi-final showdown against the talented 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who pulled off an impressive 6-4, 7-6 (2) victory over Ons Jabeur. The two have had some memorable battles in the past, including a French Open quarter-final clash in 2024, where Andreeva emerged victorious. Sabalenka knows the challenge ahead, praising Andreeva as an aggressive and talented player, and the semi-final promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Both Djokovic and Sabalenka are looking to make a statement ahead of the Australian Open, but only one will emerge victorious in Brisbane, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling start to the 2025 tennis season.
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