Novak Djokovic beats Reilly Opelka in quarterfinals at Brisbane International

Novak Djokovic was defeated 7-6 (6), 6-3 by Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International tournament on Friday. Opelka hit 16 aces, including one to close each set, to earn one of the biggest wins of the American’s career.

“I was just focused on my spots,” Opelka said. “If I hit them, it’s hard to get them back. “If there’s anyone who can, it’s him.”

Djokovic, 37, was playing his first tournament of the year. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is preparing for the Australian Open, which begins on January 12 and which he has won 10 times.

“We have nothing to lose by facing him. “He is the best player of all time,” Opelka added. “So you end up playing more freely and taking a lot more risks. If you play at your normal level or even above a normal level, he will always win. So it’s difficult at his position because he has guys who are good players and who roll the dice. And on a day like this, when a lot of things go my way, that’s how it works.”

New coach Andy Murray will join Djokovic in Melbourne.

Opelka reached a career-high No. 17 in February 2022 before undergoing hip surgery that same year to remove a benign tumor. It is now number 293.

“It was hard. A lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubts,” Opelka said.

In the semi-finals, Opelka will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who beat Jakub Mensik 7-5, 7-6 (5). The other semifinal will be Jiri Lehecka against Grigor Dimitrov. Lehecka beat Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 6-4 and Dimitrov advanced when Jordan Thompson retired while Dimitrov was up 6-1, 2-1.