Author: Richard Pagliaro @Nowtennis | Sunday, January 5, 2025
Photo credit: Chris Hyde/Getty
Jiri Lehka Has the talent to start in the upper echelons of Australia.
Lehka, 23, leads revival Riley Opelka4-1, the 6-foot-11 American withdrew from today's Brisbane International final with a back injury.
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This is Lehka's second career championship and marks the second consecutive year he has won the title at the start of the season in Australia.
Lehka won his first title in Adelaide last January, defeating Nicholas Jarry, Sebastian Korda and Jack Draper.
A great week ended sadly…Reilly get well soon 🙏Congratulations to our Brisbane champions @jirilehecka 🏆#brisbaneinternational pic.twitter.com/rXZ45lsLjn
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2025
This week, Lehka eliminated the No. 3 seed Holger Ruhn, Yoshito NishiokaJarry, defending champion Grigor Dimitrov and Opelka in the final due to injury.
Lehka dropped just one set on his way to the title, becoming the second youngest men's champion in Brisbane history after the 22-year-old Nick Kyrgioswho defeated Ryan Harrison in the 2018 finals.
“It's never easy to finish a game this way and I know how Riley feels,” Lehka said. “It's an honor to see you back playing and if your body can handle it you'll be there for many more years. “It's been a great week in Brisbane for me. I just love playing in Australia. .
“I want to thank everyone for coming and my team.”
Good to have you back, Riley 🙌What a week it’s been:
Rd 1 defeated Federico Augustin Gomez
7-5 6-4 âś…
Defeated Matteo Arnaldi 16-way
7-6 7-6 âś…
QF vs. Novak Djokovic
7-6 6-3âś…
SF vs. Giovanni Mpesi Perikade
6-3 7-6 âś…#brisbaneinternational pic.twitter.com/5QxiDZuS71
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2025
Opelka, ranked 293rd in the world, defeated Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic and deadly serve Giovanni Mpehi Perikad successively, reaching the final for the seventh time in his career. Making history as the lowest ranked player entering the Brisbane final.
Opelka, who has been out for nearly two years after undergoing hip surgery and two wrist surgeries, has risen to No. 171 in the ATP Live Rankings and will be a force in Melbourne if healthy.
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