Novak Djokovic faced a shocking exit at the Brisbane International. Reilly Opelka defeated him 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka continued her winning streak. She cruised past Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.
Djokovic’s Tough Loss
Djokovic had a tough time on the court. His performance was below par, and he struggled to keep up. Opelka, standing tall at 6ft 11ins, played one of the best matches of his career. He fired 16 aces and faced only one break point.
Opelka called Djokovic the “greatest tennis player ever.” He said playing against Djokovic made him take more risks. Those risks paid off. This win is a big moment for Opelka, who returned after two years of injury struggles.
Now, Djokovic will focus on the Australian Open. He aims to secure his 100th title in Melbourne.
Sabalenka’s Easy Victory
Aryna Sabalenka is unstoppable. She has won 26 of her last 27 matches in Australia. This includes two Australian Open titles. Her strong form continued in Brisbane as she dominated Bouzkova.
Sabalenka is now set to face 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals. Andreeva has been impressive, defeating Ons Jabeur earlier. Sabalenka called her an “aggressive player” and expects a tough match.
What’s Next?
The Brisbane International is heating up. Fans are eager to see how Sabalenka performs in the semis. Djokovic’s journey continues in Melbourne. Can he bounce back? Stay tuned for more updates!
