After the qualification of Alexandre Muller in Hong Kong, French tennis could see a second representative go to the final in an ATP tournament this week.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard faced Reilly Opelka in a waiters duel.
The American giant wanted to improve on his victory acquired against Novak Djokovic yesterday and his start to the match confirmed that he was in line with this prestigious success.
Faced with Mpetshi Perricard who had to settle his serve at the start of the game, Opelka broke from the start, showing himself to be efficient in return.
Despite four set points to save at 4-3, Opelka did not tremble and kept his advantage until the end of the set, not without fear.
Hit in the wrist, the American was hampered on his throws but that did not prevent him from being more solid than the Frenchman.
After calling on the physiotherapist, Opelka continued.
The second set was tighter, and Opelka, who quickly regained his feelings, easily won all his faceoffs.
For his part, Mpetshi Perricard had more free points with his first ball. Quite logically, the two men were decided in the decisive game.
On a last ball misjudged by the Frenchman, Reilly Opelka won (6-3, 7-6 in 1h26) and reached his first final on the circuit since Houston in April 2022. He had dominated John Isner at the time.
This time, he will be opposed to Jiri Lehecka, who won previously after taking advantage of Grigor Dimitrov’s retirement.
Opelka, who has just won his 100th ATP match, will look to capture a fifth title on the tour, while the Czech hopes to win a second trophy.
