ATP Brisbane: Arnaldi eliminated in the round of 16 by Opelka

Matteo Arnaldi’s adventure in Brisbane, the first tournament of the 2025 season, ends in the round of 16. The Italian fights against the American Reilly Opelka, who prevails 7-6 (9) 7-6 (4) in an hour and 59 minutes, taking advantage of two tie-breaks and the smallest details to get the better of the blue. Opelka, after a troubled 2024 full of physical problems, wants to return to the important positions in the ranking and is trying to find his best form. A few regrets for Matteo, who after a great first round against Popyrin could have given himself a prestigious match with Djokovic in the quarterfinals.

the match

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The serves are favored by the surface, but the first jolt comes from Arnaldi, who breaks the serve from Opelka in the seventh game, giving the impression of being able to direct the set in his favor. Matteo serves badly in the eighth game, returning the break (even to zero). We slide towards the tie-break. Arnaldi loses the point at 5-5 (and serve), but gets back on his feet canceling three set points. The Ligurian also has a set ball (but when Opelka serves it) and is forced to surrender at 10-9, when the American realizes the fourth chance. In the second set there wasn’t even a shadow of a break point, with Opelka closing on the third match point after playing a great tie-break.