Reilly Opelka confidence soars: Majors and Atlanta wins elevate his talents
"I served and returned well...those are two things that no matter how the rest goes...it's gonna be a good day," Reilly Opelka said after his win over Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in a first-rounder at Wimbledon. It took three sets but Opelka did it. He feels his philosophy is starting to work for him in every way. But it wasn't just at Wimbledon that Reilly Opelka got his spark brightened.
The 2109 season has prospered Opelka's growth in skill and execution on the court. It was from the beginning that he struck big and strong with the Australian Open as he defeated John Isner, a top 10 in four sets. It was his first Slam victory and it was a great indication on how his year might be going. Opelka hit 40 aces in that duelling match and Isner copped 47. The slugfest grew strong and exciting for not only the players but the crowd in the stands. The Palm Coast, Florida resident doesn't care much about being categorized as a booming server because of his size. "...I stopped going for the bomb, the fast ball and started using the slider a lot more to open up the court..." Opelka had explained in playing Stebe at Wimbledon.
He not only started proving himself in the U.K. but also the N.Y. when he made his debut at the New York Open tournament in Long Island this past February. He'd gave John Isner a lesson in three sets at the semifinal of the event and made it to the final winning his first ATP Tour title over Brayden Schnur. But Mr. Opelka decided he was just beginning and at the Miami Open he spun his talents over a couple of top 20 guys. Marcel Granollers and Diego Schwartzman were the victims on who Opelka had to show his skills in defeating them in two and three sets. Opelka won over Mischa Zverev and then the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. He surprised Steve Johnson and stunned Stan Wawrinka in a five-set slugfest. These victories for the former Wimbledon Boy's Junior Champion proved that he can be a heavy competitor to any opponent.
Bye, bye he'd say to the strawberries and cream and greeny grasses of Wimbledon onto the hard court season landing in Atlanta, Georgia. Opelka kept his strategies warm and at the Atlanta Open, John Isner was there to add to the charisma of American tennis. The former boy's Wimbledon champ won his opening round and didn't need a review of his next opponent's tactics as he and Isner had met the third time already. Stands were packed but Opelka stayed focused, kept his philosophy at the top of his mind on being a good server and returner. He felt honoured playing his American comrade saying "Isner's great. He's been just an unbelievable guy to have around especially to be in the face of American tennis the last ten years or so." He admired Isner but was no softy and won the first set of three tie-breaking sets. Opelka came through in the clutch when it mattered most. He blasted 33 aces to Isner's 31 had good court coverage and after over two hours of duelling and rallying won 7-6, 6-7, 7-6.
Reilly Opelka continues to rule the court anywhere he goes carrying his modest bag along. When he defeated Isner at Melbourne he'd say "It's a big win, yeah, but it's not like a breakthrough win..." he gave a coy smile hoping not to appear too self-assured. Many feel that by having wins at two majors that is a breakthrough. The Opelka guy is driving on a great rode not only up to the rankings but smoothly hitting the victory trail one match at a time.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Zjm4ZW
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