Reilly Opelka continues to take down established ATP veterans, today slaying Roger Vasselin from a set down, on court seventeen in the late afternoon with an array of USTA players and coaches in the audience (Gullikson Ginepri Kozlov Paul Berger etc).
There were antics at the end. Opelka was up the break in the third and before the 4-2 gave ERV tried the old Federer late racquet change. Opelka had a 30-love lead that game but got broken for 4-3. Opelka than called a medical timeout on the changeover for a right calf wrap. He then broke ERV for 5-3 – hitting two return winners – and then the French player immediately called a timeout for his back which really annoyed the fans who shouted “Bullsh**” and “nonsense.” Vasselin held and then Opelka tried again to serve it out. He double faulted on the first match point. And then finally converted on the third or fourth despite apparent calf and hand cramping which he fought through in the final minutes of the match. Were they real injuries – who knows but it was another lethal display by Opelka who has wins this summer vs Chardy K Anderson Young and Stakhovsky as well as narrow losses to F Lopez Isner and Tsonga. Rising star Opelka’s ranking has surged from the 800s to the 200s this summer!
Gully told me after that the win vs Anderson in Atlanta was a big confidence boost and Opelka’s backhand is better than Isner’s. Opelka can rip the forehand and backhand with more malice and speed than Isner can. I noticed he goes for return winners and he hits them too. Isner never or very rarely goes for return winners. I asked Gully who coached Opelka from age 8-12 when he first showed he was special and Gully replied: “The first day I hit with him.”
Kozlov and Paul both lost – Kozlov was up a set and 4-4 in the second but squandered the lead to veteran Berrer and then lost serve early in the third. Paul got trounced today and his struggles continue after qualifying last year and holding a 3-0 lead on Seppi in the first round of the main draw in the first set. Sekou Bangoura looked really good in blasting out Chilean Gonzalo Lama 62 61 with buddy Darian King watching/supporting but no USTA staff or other US players. I was very very impressed with how hard Bangoura was striking the ball and how focused and fluently he is moving. So impressed that I am calling for Bangoura’s breakout to happen right now or ASAP. Keep your eye on Sekou Bangoura.
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Andrew Miller · August 24, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Like bangoura. Fritz and Opelka have a meanness on court, as in no holds barred play, that separates them a bit from equally talented us next next Gen players. The difference isn’t technique but on court rip em competitiveness. Mean on court nice off court.
Andrew Miller · August 24, 2016 at 9:37 pm
The Chilean player supported by Fernando Gonzalez is doing terrible. Garin is like Quinzi, another junior ace going nowhere. I hate that. But the pros are just different. Toughness matters. Training. Everything.
Scoop Malinowski · August 24, 2016 at 10:13 pm
Jarry is another Chilean who hit a wall – Gonazalo won a Challenger this year and is at his career high ranking – But Opelka is a destroyer – I can easily see Opelka as a top five player in five years – he will be significantly better than Isner – book it – Gully said he still struggles with how close to set up to hit the forehand as he gets too close now and again – but when he finds the correct space range watch out –