Reilly Opelka began the eighth version of the Laver Cup in San Francisco for Staff World. The American confronted Casper Ruud within the first singles match and suffered a 6-4, 7-6 defeat in an hour and 27 minutes.
Reilly didn’t carry out badly, firing 9 aces and producing environment friendly numbers behind the primary serve. He confronted solely two break factors and skilled one break of serve within the opener.
Nevertheless, Opelka didn’t just like the floor and situations on the whole, calling them unusual. He couldn’t affirm what prompted the sensation, the balls, the court docket or their mixture. Nevertheless, he labeled it because the slowest court docket in tennis!
Andre Agassi, 2.11’lik Reilly Opelka’yla “çak” yapabilmek için ekstra çaba harcıyor 😂 #LaverCup
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— TenisHaberleri (@SadeceTenis) September 19, 2025
The Norwegian served at 80% and saved two break factors at first of the duel. He dropped simply ten factors behind the preliminary shot and took the pivotal factors to ship his fifth victory over Opelka from as many duels.
Casper lowered the variety of errors and despatched his workforce in entrance in straight units. Reilly had an opportunity to maneuver in entrance within the second recreation of the duel. Nevertheless, Ruud saved two break factors and stayed on the constructive facet.
The one break of the match got here within the fifth recreation when the better-ranked participant hit a pointy return, inflicting the rival's mistake and constructing the benefit. The Norwegian delivered three nice holds and wrapped up the opener 6-4.
Reilly Opelka, Laver Cup 2025© Stream screenshot
They served properly within the second set and organized a tie break. Reilly missed a forehand within the fourth level and fell behind. Casper landed two service winners to increase the lead and repeated that at 5-4 for 2 match factors.
He landed a backhand winner on the primary to have fun the win for Staff Europe. Opelka will took a break day on Saturday, whereas Ruud competes within the doubles alongside Holger Rune.
"The situations are unusual. I have no idea if it's the balls, the court docket, or a mixture of each. The ball bulges loads as a result of the floor is like sandpaper. I feel that is the slowest court docket you’ll find in tennis," Reilly Opelka stated.
