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 group up with former British No 1 and previous 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 is from splendid preparation for the primary Grand Slam of the 2025 season for the document 24-time champion Djokovic, the 37-year-old showing right here in his first match since mid-October.
For Opelka, that is unquestionably the largest win of his profession thus 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 damage troubles have restricted him to taking part in just one match over the previous two years.
“He is the greatest tennis player the sport 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 we’ve got nothing to lose coming in in opposition to him.
“If you happen to play your regular stage, and even simply above your regular stage, he’ll win each time.
“You end up playing more free and taking a lot more risks, because it’s your only chance. On a day like this, a lot of things went my way, and that’s how it worked out.”
Novak Djokovic was crushed in straight units within the quarter-finals of the Brisbane Worldwide
Reflecting on his damage 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 tough. A lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt.
“I stayed the course, even when in a solid and on crutches, simply hoping to have one other probability like I did out right here tonight.
“You find yourself asking yourself, ‘what would Novak be doing in my situation?’ That’s the effect he’s had on the sport.”
The Australian Open, the place Djokovic is a 10-time winner – most not too long ago 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 crushed 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 closing of the 12 months in Metz in November as he ended a difficult marketing campaign on a excessive.
Nishikori, who entered the occasion as a wildcard, will probably 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 via respective quarters
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Highlights of the Brisbane Worldwide quarter-final match between Aryna Sabalenka and Marie Bouzkova.
Within the girls’s occasion in Brisbane, reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka shrugged off one other sluggish 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 reduce brief Ons Jabeur’s comeback from kind and damage 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 almost 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 combating again in opposition to Hailey Baptiste in Auckland
“The key focuses I had were just to have a lot of belief and confidence in myself,” stated Osaka, who returned to the WTA Tour 12 months in the past after a maternity break.
“I put a lot of work in throughout last year, and even though the results didn’t show it, I’m just continuing to try as hard as I can and see where it gets 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.
