Opelka dreams while Sabalenka fires in Brisbane

January 4

Reilly Opelka wasn’t sure he’d ever be in a position to win another ATP title, let alone so soon after wrist and hip surgeries stole almost two years from his career.

But the popular American giant, at 211cm complete with scruffy beard and a mop of curly brown hair, will get his chance to add a fifth trophy to the cabinet in Brisbane on Sunday.

The 27-year-old brushed off concerns over that wrist after a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) defeat of French 21-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Saturday night.

Opelka’s run as world No.293 has come just six months into his comeback and he was modest about how he’d outgunned former world No.1 and 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic just a night earlier.

A former world No.17, he’ll shoot back to No.141 with victory at Pat Rafter Arena on Sunday.

“I’m not sweating it too much,” Opelka said of his right serving wrist that required treatment on Saturday.

“It’s great to be in another final. I didn’t think I’d be playing one of these at all.

“But once my arm came around … I got my training in and started to feel my level come back there was some belief.”

First-time opponent Jiri Lehecka, who won his maiden title in Adelaide last year, has the task of negotiating an Opelka serve that had even Djokovic flummoxed.

“I will need to focus on every point, every chance, because the chance can be gone in a very small moment,” the Czech talent said.

“The most important thing will be to focusing on my own service games, then try to figure something out on return, try to react better than in the previous matches.

“Tough to say now. We will see.”

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka will play Russian qualifier Polina Kudermetova in the women’s final, adamant she’s a better player than last year when she won a second consecutive Australian Open.

“A lot mentally, physically and skills, as well,” she said.

“Every year I’m getting little bit better, little bit better.”

Sabalenka was trounced 6-0 6-3 in last year’s Brisbane decider by a red-hot Elena Rybakina.

Kudermetova, 21, has blazed her way into a maiden WTA 500 final after admitting just one qualifying win would have satisfied her.

“She’s an aggressive player,” Sabalenka said.

“Definitely in the mindset like nothing to lose so I’ll have to stay aggressive, put as much pressure as I can on her.”

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