By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 5, 2025
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty
Jiri Lehecka there’s a flair for starting from the top Down Under.
23-year-old Lehecka led the revival Reilly Opelka4-1 when the 6’11” American withdrew from today’s Brisbane International final with a back injury.
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It’s Lehecka’s second career championship – and marks the second year in a row he’s opened a season with a title Down Under.
Last January, Lehecka defeated Nicolas Jarry, Sebastian Korda and Jack Draper in succession to capture his first championship in Adelaide.
An unfortunate end to a wonderful week…Get well soon Reilly 🙏 Congratulations to our champion in Brisbane @jirilehecka 🏆#BrisbaneInternational pic.twitter.com/rXZ45lsLjn
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2025
This week, Lehecka fell to third place Holger Rune, Yoshihito NishiokaJarry, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov and Opelka in an injury-shortened final.
Lehecka dropped just one set en route to the title, becoming the second youngest men’s champion in Brisbane history behind the 22-year-old Nick Kyrgioswho defeated Ryan Harrison in the 2018 final.
“It’s never easy to end a match like this, I know how you feel Reilly,” said Lehecka. “It’s been an honor to see you playing again and if your body can handle it, you’ll be out there for many more years. “It’s been a great week for me in Brisbane. I love playing here in Australia.
“I want to thank everyone who came to see my team.”
Great to have you back Reilly 🙌What a week it was:
Rd 1 for Federico Agustin Gomez
7-5 6-4 ✅
Rd of 16 by Matteo Arnaldi
7-6 7-6 ✅
Against Novak Djokovic
7-6 6-3 ✅
SF def Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
6-3 7-6 ✅#BrisbaneInternational pic.twitter.com/5QxiDZuS71
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2025
World number 293 Opelka, who toppled Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic and deadly serve Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straight sets to reach his seventh career final, made history as the lowest-ranked man to reach the final of Brisbane.
Opelka, who has been sidelined for almost two full years after undergoing hip surgery and two wrist surgeries, climbs to No. 171 in the ATP Live rankings and, if healthy, figures to be a force in Melbourne .
