SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Alberto Amalfi | Sunday, February 23, 2020

 
INSERT IMAGE ALT TAGS HERE

Reilly Opelka saved a match point rallying past Milos Raonic in the semifinal then slammed 27 aces in a 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-2 win over Yoshihito Nishioka in the Delray Beach final.

Photo credit: Christopher Levy

Reilly Opelka rode out waves of adversity to claim his second career title with two victories in Delray Beach today. 

The fourth-seeded Opelka saved a match point rallying past Milos Raonic in the semifinal then slammed 27 aces in a 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-2 triumph over Yoshihito Nishioka in the Delray Beach final.

More: Djokovic Bidding For Fifth Dubai Title

It is Opelka's second win in as many weeks over Nishioka and his first title since he captured the 2019 New York Open.




Opelka is the fourth American man to raise the Delray Beach title trophy in the past five years and joins doubles champions Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan creating a star spangled Sunday of American champions.

The towering Opelka worked overtime for this title on the Atlantic Avenue court he regards as his home court.

The 22-year-old American opened today’s playing saving a match point in the second set tie break of his 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 comeback win over Raonic.

Returning to the blue court after a break, Opelka broke in the final game of the opening set for a one-set lead. 

Nishioka
Photo credit: Christopher Levy

Bidding to become the second Japanese man to win Delray Beach after Kei Nishikori in 2008, Nishioka won five of the final six points of the tie breaker to force the decisive set.

All that good work Nishioka did forcing a final set dissipated as he double-faulted away the break at 15 to open the decider.

Tennis Express

Opelka slice an ace out wide backing up the break for a 2-0 lead seven minutes into the final set.

Down love-30 in the fourth game, Opelka answered authoritatively.

Nishioka
Photo credit: Christopher Levy

Two aces, a soaring smash and slick half-volley pick-up helped the 22-year-old American erase the deficit holding for 3-1.

Cranking his ground strokes with command, Opelka flattened an inside-out forehand for triple break point in the seventh game. Nishioka saved all three only to see Opelka throttle a second serve run winner down the line with disdain for a fourth break point.




Trying to squeeze a backhand down the line, the Japanese missed the mark then belted a ball out of the stadium in disgust donating the break and a 5-2 lead to Opelka.

Opelka crushed a diagonal forehand for championship point and torched an ace down the middle capping a 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-2 triumph.


 

Latest News