Reilly Opelka: I don't model my game after John Isner

Rising American says Reilly Opelka, 22, says he doesn't model his game after fellow compatriot John Isner but admits there are similarities between their respective games. 

Opelka, who stands at 6 feet 11 inches tall, has a huge serve, while 6 feet 10 inches tall Isner has been a dominant server on the Tour for over a decade now. 

The 22-year-old American knows a huge serve is a big asset in his game but underlines that he wants to be in good other areas as well. 

"I don’t model my game after him, but we look at numbers,” Opelka said, speaking of Isner, per the Delray Beach Open website. "Those are things I can definitely model, but we play a little different. I’m trying to get better in every category. A (big) serve (alone) doesn’t just do it."

Meanwhile, world No. 54 Opelka saw off fellow compatriot Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 6-4 to reach his second quarterfinal in Delray Beach. 

Opelka, seeded at No. 4, plays next against fellow rising star Soonwoo Kwon -- who beat American Ryan Harrison to progress into the last-eight at the tournament.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2PeuUFo