Opelka defeats Perricard to reach Brisbane International Final
Reilly Opelka beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a battle of the big servers on Saturday in Brisbane, defeating the Frenchman 6-3, 7-6 (4) to book his spot in the final of the Brisbane International.
Opelka came into the semi-final as a betting underdog across most tennis bookmakers, despite having upset former world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
The American played brilliantly, racing out to a 3-0 lead in the first set and defending all four breakpoints he faced on his serve across the match.
Mpetshi Perricard brought a high level of tennis too, but was uncharacteristically awry on his second serve, giving Opelka more openings than usual to win points on his serve.
“It is great to be in another final,” Opelka said.
“I didn’t think I would be playing one of these at all after the past year.
“One guy, kind of a miracle, a Canadian guy fixed me and I started training and once I was out of pain the confidence came back.”
The 27-year-old has been sidelined for the better part of two years with hip and wrist injuries, with this week’s final his first since 2022.
Opelka will face Jiri Lehecka for the title on Sunday, and is a $2.10 underdog at Neds to overcome the Czech.
He will hope to shake off a slight wrist issue before then, with Opelka taking a medical timeout during the first set against Mpetshi Perricard.
“Sometimes it happens,” he said.
“It started hurting a little in the second round.
“I tweaked it a little bit on a reaction shot but it will be alright.
“I am not sweating too much.”
Opelka’s run to the Brisbane International final has led to tennis betting sites shortening his odds significantly ahead of the Australian Open as well, which starts on January 12.
Coming into the week, many top bookmakers did not even offer odds for Opelka to win the year’s first Grand Slam.
Now, he pays $67 at Bet365 to claim his first major trophy in Melbourne – the 10th line of betting.
