Djokovic was crushed by Opelka within the quarterfinals of the Brisbane Worldwide

BRISBANE, Australia — Novak Djokovic was crushed 7-6 (6), 6-3 by Reilly Opelka who performed a significant function within the quarterfinals of the Brisbane Worldwide on Friday.

Opelka served 16 aces – together with one to finish every set – to attain one of many greatest wins of the American’s profession.

“I used to be targeted on my spots,” Opelka mentioned. “After I hit them, it is exhausting to get them again. If anybody can, it is him.”

The 37-year-old Djokovic was enjoying his first event this yr. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is getting ready for the Australian Open, which is able to begin on January 12 and has received it 10 occasions.

“Now we have nothing to lose if we face him. He’s the best participant of all time,” added Opelka. “So you find yourself enjoying at no cost and taking an enormous threat. For those who play your common stage or above common stage, you’ll win each time. So it is troublesome in his space since you get guys who’re good gamers till they roll the cube. And on a day like this when plenty of issues go my manner that is the way it occurs.”

New coach Andy Murray will be a part of Djokovic in Melbourne.

Opelka earned a career-high rating of No. 17 on Feb. 2022 earlier than present process hip surgical procedure later that yr to take away a malignant tumor. He’s now Quantity 293.

“It was troublesome. A variety of uncertainty, plenty of doubt,” Opelka mentioned.

Within the semi-finals, Opelka will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who beat Jakub Mensik 7-5, 7-6 (5). The opposite semi-final will characteristic Jiri Lehecka towards Grigor Dimitrov.

Lehecka defeated Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 6-4 and Dimitrov superior when Jordan Thompson retired whereas Dimitrov led 6-1, 2-1.