ATP Brisbane I Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard beaten in semi-final by Reilly Opelka

ATP Brisbane I Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard beaten in semi-final by Reilly Opelka
ATP Brisbane I Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard beaten in semi-final by Reilly Opelka

His 3rd final on the ATP circuit will ultimately not be for this week. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard fell this Saturday in the duel of giants – 2.03 meters for the Frenchman against 2.11 meters for the American – which pitted him against Reilly Opelka in the semi-final of the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane. The more experienced of the two gunners won in two sets (6-3, 7-6) and 1h26 of play, thus confirming his surprise victory over Novak Djokovic in the quarter. This first final in almost two years (Houston 2022) allows “Big O” to be assured of returning to the world Top 200 on Monday.

The poster promised a competition of aces and tie-breaks. But this semi-final between two immense servers was neither, which again shows those who doubted that tennis remains an unpredictable sport. On “only” 22 occasions, one would be tempted to note, the receivers did not touch the ball, and Reilly Opelka and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard only played a decisive game won by the first who demonstrated more experience in its management. Faced with the man who could be his heir, the American ghost sought deserved success.

A duel far from the caricature of “servebots”

In a “servebot” duel, preserving your commitment goes without saying. “GMP” knew it, and yet, it failed from the start. Two double faults from his first service game and a clear tension in the rally cost him dearly, that is to say the entry break. It must be said that on the other side of the net, Opelka maintained its momentum from the day before against the “Djoker” by getting off to a great start. The American showed great qualities in anticipation and was enterprising at every opportunity, while it took a few minutes for the Frenchman to enter his match after opening his counter (3-1).

In addition to this break conceded at the start, Mpetshi Perricard will have two regrets in this game. The first was not having managed to convert one of his four break points in a 7th game during which he led 0/40. Certainly, Opelka brought out the heavy artillery to save them, but the young Blue notably missed a forehand passing within his reach on one of his opportunities. The second is to be found much later when he offered the fateful mini-break to his rival on a double fault.

In the meantime, he had managed to rise to the level imposed by the American in a match that was much less caricatured than expected. On passing as well as on a precise backhand lob, Opelka showed that he could play with finesse, just as “GMP” showed off his touch on some flashes at the net. And if the second act looked more like the expected waiter duel, the two men showed that they had many other qualities. Mpetshi Perricard will also be able to console himself by noting that he has assured his status as top seed at the Australian Open this week (30th in the ranking). In Melbourne, he should scare a lot of people.

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