Service god Opelka and the lawn - what's wrong there?
Next action on grass, next bankruptcy for Reilly Opelka. This time in Eastbourne against Maxime Cressy. The conditions actually speak for the service giant from the USA.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jun 20, 2022, 07:53 pm
Two things, at least two, we don't want to forget. First of all, Reilly Opelka has already won two tournaments this season (in Dallas on hard court and in Houston on clay). So the fundamentally good shape is there. And: the really big test on grass doesn't start until next Monday in Wimbledon. Nevertheless, Opelka's results so far on grass 2022 seem strange. In London's Queen's Club, the 2.11 meter man Alex de Minaur lost 4: 6 and 4: 6. And on Monday, the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Eastbourne was over after a match after a 3: 6 and 1: 6 against Maxime Cressy.
Almost seven years ago, Opelka proved that he can succeed on grass - he won the junior tournament in Wimbledon, in the final against Mikael Ymer. Opelka's conqueror from Queen's Club, Alex de Minaur, came close to the title a year later, but lost to Denis Shapovalov in the final. While the Canadian, who hasn't scored much or anything in recent weeks, but advanced to the semi-finals in Wimbledon last year, Reilly Opelka is still waiting for a really nice sense of achievement in Wimbledon.
Opelka in Wimbledon at best in round three
Last year, the American lost to Dominik Koepfer in round one in three sets, two years earlier (2020 was not played in Wimbledon) Opelka beat Stan Wawrinka in round two, but then failed to Milos Raonic. And that was it with the glory of the main field - because Reilly Opelka failed in the qualification in both 2017 and 2018.
This may also have to do with the fact that the conditions at Wimbledon have changed fundamentally since the glory days of players like Goran Ivanisevic: the balls have become slower and open earlier. And the changed turf mix has also contributed to the fact that you can no longer shoot yourself close to the title with your serve alone. John Isner came closest in 2018 - but he failed in the semifinals against Kevin Anderson. As is well known, a man who could rely on his service at his best.