In a match between two of the tallest players on the ATP Tour, 6’11” Reilly Opelka powered past 6’7” Christopher Eubanks on Tuesday at the Delray Beach Open.
The 2020 champion Opelka, who has reached the final in his previous two appearances at the ATP 250, fought off Eubanks 6-3, 7-6(7). Eubanks held a set point at 7/6 in the second-set tie-break, but Opelka avoided a decider by eventually securing the victory on his third match point.
“I didn’t serve my best, not going to lie. My forehand stayed pretty under control tonight,” Opelka said. “Pretty pleased with how I returned and how I hit my forehand even though my serve wasn’t at the best level it should be at.”
Opelka now leads Eubanks 3-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Their south Florida meeting marked their first clash since 2019. The 27-year-old will look to improve upon his 12-3 tournament record when he meets sixth seed Brandon Nakashima. Opelka won their lone meeting in 2022 (Sydney).
Kei Nishikori was another former champion in action, but the Japanese star suffered a defeat to wild card Mackenzie McDonald. The American downed the 2008 titlist 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-5 after two hours and 32 minutes. McDonald next faces eighth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who ousted Taro Daniel 6-2, 7-6(2).
Arthur Rinderknech earned his 50th hard-court win at tour level by racing past lucky loser Dmitry Popko 6-2, 6-4. China’s Buyunchaokete downed Rinky Hijikata 6-2, 6-0 to set a second-round meeting against top seed and two-time defending champion Taylor Fritz. Yoshihito Nishioka was a 6-3, 6-4 winner against Australian Aleksandar Vukic.
Watch Delray Beach Extended Highlights from Tuesday:
