Brisbane International presented by Evie—Australia
Opelka Ousts Djokovic in Brisbane; Osaka Reaches Auckland Semifinals; Nishikori Advances to Hong Kong Semifinals
Towering American Reilly Opelka notched the biggest win of his career on Friday in Brisbane, Australia, defeating 24-time Major winner Novak Djokovic 7-6(6), 6-3.
In a match that lasted one hour and 40 minutes, Opelka hit 16 aces, won 87 percent of his second serve points and broke serve on one occasion.
Out of action for two years with a hip injury, Opelka will next face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard for a place in the finals. The powerful Frenchman defeated Jakub Mensik 7-5, 7-6(5) to reach the final four.
Other results on the day saw No. 2 seed and defending champion Grigor Dimitrov advance when Jordan Thompson retired down a set and 2-1 in set two, and Jiri Lehecka advanced to the semifinals after dispatching Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 6-4.
On the women’s side, top seed Aryna Sabalenka eased into the semifinals after dismissing Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4 and Polina Kudermetova took out Ashlyn Krueger 7-6(5), 6-3.
Also on Friday, No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4, 7-6(2), and Anhelina Kalinina dismissed Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.
Sabalenka will next face Andreeva for a spot in the finals.
*****
ASB Classic—Auckland, New Zealand
Former Major winner Naomi Osaka reached the semifinals of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday, ousting Hailey Baptiste 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-2.
Striking 10 aces, Osaka will next face No. 8 seed Katie Volynets or Alycia Parks.
Osaka is currently up to No. 50 in the live rankings.
Top seed Madison Keys will look to advance to the final four when she returns to the court to finish her match with No. 5 seed Clara Tauson. The American currently trails 4-6, 4-3.
Robin Montgomery, who has already reached the semifinals, will await the winner of Keys or Tauson on Saturday.
*****
Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open—Hong Kong
Japanese star Kei Nishikori continued his comeback to the top of men’s tennis on Friday in Hong Kong, China, defeating Brit Cameron Norrie 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to reach the semifinals.
Needing one hour and 41 minutes to seal his victory, Nishikori used his baseline brilliance to hit 24 winners and break serve on three occasions.
Up to No. 83 in the world, Nishikori will next face up-and-comer Juncheng Shang for a place in the finals. Shang needed three sets to dismiss Fabian Marozsan 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Other results on the day saw a pair or upsets. Jaume Munar defeated No. 2 seed Lorenzo Musetti 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 and Alexandre Muller took out No. 4 seed Arthur Fils 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
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