Opelka beats Mpetshi Perricard to reach Brisbane final
Following Alexandre Muller's qualification in Hong Kong, French tennis could see a second representative reach the final of an ATP tournament this week.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was pitted against Reilly Opelka in a server's duel.
The American giant was keen to build on his victory over Novak Djokovic yesterday, and his start to the match confirmed that he was on the same wavelength as this prestigious success.
Faced with a Mpetshi Perricard who had to settle his serve at the start of the match, Opelka broke right from the start, and was also very effective on the return.
Despite having to save four set points at 4-3, Opelka never wavered and held his advantage right to the end of the set, albeit with a few scares.
With a wrist injury, the American was hampered on his face-offs, but that didn't stop him from being more solid than the Frenchman.
After calling in the physio, Opelka carried on.
The second set was more closely contested, and Opelka, who quickly regained his sensations, easily won all his face-offs.
For his part, Mpetshi Perricard had more free points with his first ball. Logically, the two men went to a tie-break.
On a last ball misjudged by the Frenchman, Reilly Opelka won (6-3, 7-6 in 1h26) and reached his first Tour final since Houston in April 2022. Back then, he dominated John Isner.
This time, he'll be up against Jiri Lehecka, who won earlier after taking advantage of Grigor Dimitrov's withdrawal.
Opelka, who has just won his 100th ATP match, will be looking for a fifth title on the circuit, while the Czech is hoping for a second.
Brisbane 
