In the first point of the first-set tie-break in Reilly Opelka’s US Open match against #NextGenATP Italian Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday afternoon, the American sprinted forward to retrieve a drop shot. Opelka then lunged for a backhand volley to save the point and spun around before guessing right on the next ball and smacking away a forehand volley winner. The 22nd seed gave the raucous Court 17 crowd a huge fist pump as his coach, former World No. 7 Jay Berger, leapt out of his seat.
It was a tight match, but like that crucial point, all the big moments went in Opelka’s favour in his 7-6(1), 7-5, 6-4 victory to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows for the first time. Opelka will next play Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, who eliminated American qualifier Maxime Cressy 7-6(3), 6-3, 7-5, as he tries to make his maiden fourth round at a major.
"That was a turning point, that really was. I think the match could have changed completely. If I'm down 1/0 [in the tie-break], he hits two big serves, 3/0, not playing well. The next thing [you know] I'm down a set," Opelka said. "That's how crazy our sport is. One little point like that, one shot.
"It was kind of lucky, I guessed right twice. That changed everything. It turned things around. Picked up my energy, and I got a mini-break, hit two aces, 4/1, and the match was completely changed, the whole dynamic of it went a whole different route."
Opelka certainly has momentum on his side. The 24-year-old recently made his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Toronto, where he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals. Earlier this year, he made his first semi-final at that level in Rome.
The two-time ATP Tour titlist defeated Musetti 6-4, 6-4 during his run at the Foro Italico, but he was clear that he expected a tougher match this time around. That is what Opelka got, but he rose to the occasion with 31 aces and 61 total winners to triumph after two hours and 21 minutes.
"I actually didn't think I played great, and that's what I loved about it. I won the match not playing great," Opelka said. "I picked up my level, made some nice adjustments on my return. But it started off ugly. I was clutch in the 'breaker, stayed tough. I put pressure on him, and that's what I think good players start to do: they win when they are not playing well."
Opelka did not lose serve in the match, saving all four break points he faced. At 5-5 in the second set, he earned his first break by pouncing on a return and rushing the net, where he put away a forehand volley.
Again in the third set, all it took was one break and Opelka rode his serve to the finish line in front of his home crowd. The 6'11" right-hander is the highest-ranked American left in the draw.
His next opponent, Basilashvili, hit 37 winners in his two-hour, 11-minute triumph. The Georgian, who has never played Opelka, will try to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the second time (also 2018).
