Novak Djokovic suffered a shock straight-sets defeat to world No 293 Reilly Opelka within the quarter-finals of the Brisbane Worldwide on Friday, shedding 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.
Djokovic, who is because of workforce up with former British No 1 and outdated rival Andy Murray as his new coach later this month, was bested in a gap set tie-breaker after which damaged within the fourth sport of the second – shortly after spurning a chance of his personal on the Opelka serve.
It’s miles from best preparation for the primary Grand Slam of the 2025 season for the report 24-time champion Djokovic, the 37-year-old showing right here in his first event since mid-October.
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For Opelka, that is unquestionably the most important win of his profession so far. The 27-year-old American has gained 4 ATP 250 tournaments and had a career-high rating of world No 17 in 2022 earlier than harm troubles have restricted him to taking part in just one match over the previous two years.
World No 293 Reilly Opelka celebrates his gorgeous straight-sets win over Novak Djokovic
“He’s the best tennis participant the game has ever seen,” Opelka stated of Djokovic, following his assertion win. “It is troublesome being in Novak’s place… he can scout me or his opponents all day lengthy, however the actuality is that now we have nothing to lose coming in towards him.
“Should you play your regular stage, and even simply above your regular stage, he will win each time.
“You find yourself taking part in extra free and taking much more dangers, as a result of it is your solely likelihood. On a day like this, a number of issues went my approach, and that is the way it labored out.”
Novak Djokovic was overwhelmed in straight units within the quarter-finals of the Brisbane Worldwide
Reflecting on his harm troubles of the previous two years that has seen him have hip surgical procedure, to take away a benign tumour, and two wrist surgical procedures, Opelka added: “It was robust. A variety of uncertainty, a number of doubt.
“I stayed the course, even when in a solid and on crutches, simply hoping to have one other likelihood like I did out right here tonight.
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“You end up asking your self, ‘what would Novak be doing in my state of affairs?’ That is the impact he is had on the game.”
The Australian Open, the place Djokovic is a 10-time winner – most just lately in 2023 – begins on January 12.
Norrie out after Nishikori rolls again the years in Hong Kong
British No 2 Cameron Norrie crashed out of the Hong Kong Open on the quarter-final stage after being overwhelmed 6-3 3-6 6-2 by Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
Victory gave the 35-year-old Nishikori, a former world No 4, his place within the final 4 of a tour-level occasion for the primary time since July 2021.
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Highlights of Cameron Norrie’s quarter-final defeat to Kei Nishikori on the Hong Kong Open.
The win abruptly ended a promising run for Norrie, who had constructed on his first last of the yr in Metz in November as he ended a difficult marketing campaign on a excessive.
Nishikori, who entered the occasion as a wildcard, shall be certainly one of 4 unseeded gamers within the semi-finals after last-eight defeats for Lorenzo Musetti and Arthur Fils.
Second seed Musetti fell in three units to Spain’s Jaume Munar, whereas fourth seed Fils misplaced to fellow Frenchman Alexandre Muller. In the meantime China’s Juncheng Shang was a three-set winner over Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan.
Sabalenka and Osaka come by way of respective quarters
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Highlights of the Brisbane Worldwide quarter-final match between Aryna Sabalenka and Marie Bouzkova.
Within the ladies’s occasion in Brisbane, reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka shrugged off one other gradual begin and a few shaky moments on her forehand late on to get previous Marie Bouzkova in straight units, 6-3 6-4.
Up subsequent for Sabalenka is Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who lower quick Ons Jabeur’s comeback from type and harm points with a 6-4 7-6 (7-2) win.
In the meantime, on the Auckland Basic, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka made her first semi-final in practically three years after rallying to a 6-7 (2-7) 6-1 6-2 victory over Hailey Baptiste.
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Former world No 1 Naomi Osaka reached her first semi-final since 2022 after preventing again towards Hailey Baptiste in Auckland
“The important thing focuses I had had been simply to have a number of perception and confidence in myself,” stated Osaka, who returned to the WTA Tour 12 months in the past after a maternity break.
“I put a number of work in all through final yr, and regardless that the outcomes did not present it, I am simply persevering with to attempt as arduous as I can and see the place it will get me.”
Watch the United Cup, plus ATP and WTA occasions Brisbane, Auckland and Hong Kong this week stay on Sky Sports activities Tennis or stream with NOW.
