On paper, nothing could happen to Novak Djokovic. The former world number one (current number 7) was the huge favorite this Friday, in the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane (Australia) against Reilly Opelka. But the colossus from the United States (2.11 m, 102 kg) crushed the Serbian in two sets (7-6 (6), 6-3) and created a huge surprise by signing the greatest victory of his career . Ex-17th player in the world (in February 2022), Opelka today only occupies 293rd place in the ATP rankings after a break of a year and a half due to hip surgery. Untouchable on serve (16 aces, 80% of points won), he totally dominated the “Joker”.
In the semi-final, Opelka will face Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a duel of hitters. The Habs brilliantly reached the last four after victories against Nick Kyrgios, Frances Tiafoe and, this Friday, in two sets against the Czech Jakub Mensik (7-5, 7-6 (5)). All while hitting 75 aces in three matches!
For Novak Djokovic, it is a slight halt in an upward trajectory. The 37-year-old Serbian had not played again since his lost final at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai (China), at the end of September, against Jannik Sinner. In Brisbane, he beat Rinky Hijikata and Gaël Monfils in the first two rounds.
