ATP Brisbane: Opelka wins battle of big servers over Perricard to reach final
The American will face Czech Jiri Lehecka in the final on Sunday
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 08: Reilly Opelka (USA) returns a shot during the US Clay Court Championships quarterfinal singles match at River Oaks Country Club on April 8, 2022 in Houston, TX. || 227258_0010
American Reilly Opelka, 6 ft 11 inches and Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 6 ft 8 inches, faced off in the ATP Brisbane International semi-finals on Saturday. And it was the American, who came out on the winning end to reach his first final on tour since April 2022 (seventh overall final).
Opelka, who had toppled 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the previous round, won 6-3, 7-6 (4) at the Queensland Tennis Centre on Saturday. The American, currently ranked No 293, will face Jiri Lehecka for the title tomorrow. Saturday’s victory also marked the milestone 100th ATP Tour win for Opelka.
Earlier in the week, the American had defeated Argentinian qualifier Federico Agustin Gomez (7-5, 6-4), Italian Matteo Arnaldi (7-6 (9), 7-6 (4)) and Serb Novak Djokovic, the top seed (7-6 (6), 6-3).
In the previous rounds Mpetshi Perricard, ranked No 31, edged out Australian Nick Kyrgios (7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3)), American Frances Tiafoe, the No 4 seed (6-4, 7-6 (4)) and Jakub Mensik (7-5, 7-6 (5)).
Brisbane ATP 250, other semi-final result (Queensland Tennis Centre, hard, USD 766,290):
- Jiri Lehecka beat Grigor Dimitrov (2): 6-4, 4-4 ret.
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