Novak Djokovic lost in straight sets to world No. 293 Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International on Friday, losing 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.
Djokovic, who is due to team up with former British No. 1 and old rival Andy Murray as his new coach later this month, won the first set and was broken in the fourth game of the second after spurning an opportunity of his own on the Opelka serve.
It’s far from ideal preparation for record 24-time champion Djokovic at the first Grand Slam of the 2025 season, the 37-year-old’s first appearance here since mid-October.
It is arguably the biggest win of his career to date for Opelka. The 27-year-old American won four ATP 250 tournaments and was ranked No. 17 in the world in 2022 before injury problems limited him for the past two years. holding only one match during.
World No. 293 Reilly Opelka celebrates his shock straight sets victory over Novak Djokovic
“He’s the greatest tennis player the sport has ever seen,” Opelka said of Djokovic after his victory. we have nothing to play against him.
“If you’re playing at your normal level, or even above your normal level, he’s going to win every time.
“You end up playing looser and taking a lot more risks because that’s your only chance. A lot of things went my way on a day like that, and it worked out.”
Novak Djokovic lost consecutively in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International.
Addressing his injury problems over the past two years, which have seen him undergo hip surgery, a benign tumor removed and two wrist surgeries, Opelka added: “It was difficult. A lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt.
“I stayed the course, even when I was in a cast and on crutches, just hoping to get another chance like tonight.
“You ask yourself, what would Novak do in my situation?” That’s the impact he’s had on the sport.”
The Australian Open, where Djokovic won 10 times, most recently in 2023, starts on January 12.
After Nishikori, Nori retired from her years in Hong Kong
British No. 2 Cameron Norrie crashed out of the Hong Kong Open in the quarter-finals, losing 6-3 3-6 6-2 to Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
Victory gave the 35-year-old Nishikori, formerly world No. 4, a place in the last four of a tour-level event for the first time since July 2021.
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Highlights from Cameron Norrie’s quarter-final loss to Kei Nishikori at the Hong Kong Open.
The victory abruptly ended a promising run for Nori, who built up his first final of the year at Metz in November, as he ended a difficult campaign on a high.
Nishikori, who entered as a wildcard, will be one of four players through to the semi-finals after last-eight defeats to Lorenzo Musetti and Arthur Fils.
Musetti lost the second seed in three sets to Spain’s Jaume Munar, while Phils lost to France’s Alexandre Muller in three sets, while China’s Yunchen Shang defeated Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in three sets.
Sabalenka and Osaka come from respective regions
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Highlights from the Brisbane International quarter-final match between Aryna Sabalenka and Marie Buzkova.
In the women’s event, reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka bounces back after another slow start and some shaky moments to see off Mari Buzkova 6-3 6-4 in straight sets.
Next up for Sabalenka is Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who cut short Ons Jabeur’s comeback from form and injury with a 6-4 7-6 (7-2) win.
Meanwhile, at the Auckland Classic, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka advanced to her first semi-final in nearly three years with a 6-7 (2-7) 6-1 6-2 win over Hailey Baptiste.
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Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka advanced to her first semi-final since 2022 after defeating Hailey Baptiste in Auckland.
“The main focus I had was just having a lot of faith and confidence in myself,” said Osaka, who returned to the WTA Tour 12 months ago after a maternity break.
“I’ve put in a lot of work over the last year and even though the results haven’t shown it, I’m just going to keep trying as hard as I can and see where it takes me.”
Watch the United Cup as well as ATP and WTA events in Brisbane, Auckland and Hong Kong this week live on Sky Sports Tennis or stream NOW!.
