Fritz eliminates Opelka 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Miami Open 4th round
At an all-American tournament in South Florida, two friends took to the stadium court in hopes of making it to week two at the Masters. 1000 event. Taylor Fritz from California has a title at this level – that 2022 Indian Wells tournament (Nadal’s definition). Reilly Opelka has yet to secure a trophy at this level, but in 2021 was a finalist in Canada (l. Medvedev).
Fritz achieved a career high rank of #4 in the fall of 2024 and is currently ranked #7. His best finish in Miami was a semifinal appearance last year, where he lost in three tight sets to eventual champion Jakob Mensik.
Opelka was eager to make his first appearance in the fourth round on home soil, having reached the third round three times (2019 & 2025). He endured a long pause between 2022 AND 2024 due to a chronic wrist injury.
Although currently ranked #67like a world of yore #17he was a dangerous and innocent opponent. of 6‘11 The Michigan native defeated Nuno Borges 7-6 in the third in his opening game and sent the former world #4 AND 25th seed Jack Draper in two tiebreaks to reach the third round.
As they live on opposite shores of USthe twenty-eight year olds are close friends. Fritz headed head on 5-1including the last three. All six matches were played on strong indoor/outdoor pitches, and they last competed in the 2021. Opelka’s only win was in straight sets 2019 in Tokyo.
Fritz won the forehand and elected to serve. He did 3/4 first serves, including an ace on the tee to hold at love, while Opelka hit two aces and held 30 to level. Fritz was easily held 15 ABOUT 2-1 while Opelka served four unforced errors and dropped serve.
the world #7 hit a spectacular cross-face and held on 15 to consolidate the break. Opelka opened the sixth with his fourth ace and held 30 ABOUT 2-4. Fritz hit an ace out and held with ease 15 ABOUT 5-2. Opelka, who served with new balls, scored two aces, the last point in the game 3-5 while Fritz fixed the group lovingly.
Opelka served first in the second and held to love, making 4/4 serves first while Fritz was held 15 with an ace up the tee. Opelka opened the third with two winners in a row, including his seventh ace, and broke to love again as Fritz made 4/5 first it is easy to serve and maintain 15 ABOUT 2-2.
Opelka opened the fifth with his eighth ace and with three more winners, including a flurry of forehands and a strong backhand in the line, held on 30 to lead 3-2.
Fritz opened the sixth with a forehand and a running forehand down the line, held at love. In the seventh game or “swing”, Opelka faced a multitude of challenges. He succeeded 30-30 with his tenth ace and despite four other winners, faced five deuces, four break points and dropped serve.
Fritz, serving with new balls, hit two straight forehand winners and held 15 to consolidate the break for 5-3. Opelka serving to stay in the match faced double match point but a backhand winner down the line, and a net from Fritz held for 4-5!
Fritz served for the match and a spot in the sixteenth round. The Californian did 4/4 first serves, reached triple match point and secured it with an ace out of the box.
During the sixty-three minute match, there were few extended rallies; return was paramount. When he served, Fritz won 73% of second serve points, and when you get it, you won 30First % and 59% of second serve points. He didn’t face a break point and converted 6/8.
further, 21first seed, Jiri Lehecka. of 24-year-old from the Czech Republic, with two career titles, achieved a career-high rank of #16 but currently ranked #22. After receiving a bye in the first round, he has not dropped a set en route to the fourth round. Fritz drives head to head 4-1but Lehecka won their most recent match last September in three sets in Davis Cup qualifying.
