Red-hot Reilly Opelka powers into 2025 Brisbane International finals

Tennis star Reilly Opelka thwarted Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard by 6-3, 7-6 in the semifinal thriller of the 2025 Brisbane International on January 4. The American tennis players have made it to the final thriller of the showpiece event and bolstered the preparation of the first Grand Slam of this year.

The 27-year-old tennis star aims to grab the title in the next game when he will be facing Jiri Lehecka, who marked the win in the first semi-final after Grigor Dimitrov retired out in the second set of the game due to a hip injury.

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Which is Reilly Opelka's biggest win in his tennis career so far?

•--- ° 🧪• I guess when you've matched-up against the best there's, like Novak Djokovic,
- that's enough motivation to go for the long-haul!
* Your #BrisbaneTennis Finalist American Reilly Opelka. pic.twitter.com/I3dm7dKncR

— Stephen 🎧 Magyezi (@gyezi_) January 4, 2025

Notably, Opelka has defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal of the game and continued the same momentum heading to this game. This quarter-final game seems to be one of the biggest wins for Opelka in his tennis career. The 27-year-old tennis star has won four ATP 250 tournaments and had a career-high ranking of 17 in 2022 before injury troubles kept him from playing one match over the past year.

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Following the defeat, the Serbian legend took to social media and shared the story with the 27-year-old American and wished him good luck after he made it to the semifinal thriller. On the other hand, Opelka revealed his tactical skills and the pragmatic approach he used in the game to thwart the 37-year-old tennis star.

Also Read: World no. 293 Reilly Opelka upsets Novak Djokovic in quarter-finals, Serbian legend crashes out of Brisbane International 2025

“Yeah. He’s the greatest player the sport has ever seen. It’s difficult being in his position. He can scout me or other opponents all day long… the reality is we have nothing to lose against him. You end up playing more free. You take a lot more risk because if you play your normal level or even above it he’s gonna win every time. It’s tough in his position because he gets guys that roll the dice. On a day like this when a lot of things go my way, that’s how it works out," Reilly Opelka said.

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