Novak Djokovic stunned in shock defeat to world No.249 Reilly Opelka at Brisbane International

Not since his 2010 defeat to countryman Filip Krajnovic has Novak Djokovic been beaten by a lower-ranked opponent as his road to a 25th grand slam got suddenly bumpier.

The road to grand slam title No.25 just got a whole lot bumpier for Novak Djokovic after the super Serbian slumped to a shock straight-sets defeat to world No.249 Reilly Opelka on Friday night.

Standing 6’11 Opelka — the equal-tallest player to ever compete on the ATP tour — proved too tall an order for Djokovic, who had no answer to the American’s dominant service game and brilliant ground strokes in a 7-6(6) 6-3 upset on Pat Rafter Arena.

From his opening service game Opelka announced himself as a serious threat to Djokovic’s hopes of clinching his 100th ATP title in Brisbane.

Novak Djokovic lumped to a shock straight-sets defeat to world No.249 Reilly Opelka. Picture: Getty Images

The American’s massive serve was a known commodity to Djokovic but what he was not prepared for was the venom and poise with which Opelka hit his ground strokes.

The American fired off close to 50 winners against the greatest returner of all time and got in the head of the tournament No.1 seed.

So frazzled was Djokovic that he twice changed shirts between points and even requested fresh – but previously washed – towels be delivered courtside, so that he could wipe the sweat from his palms at the change of ends.

“He’s the greatest tennis player the sport has ever seen,” Opelka declared after the best win of his career.

“It’s difficult being in Novak’s position. He can scout me or his next opponent all day long – the reality is we have nothing to lose coming in against him.

“You end up playing free, you take more risks because it’s your only choice.

“It’s tough to be in his position because he gets guys that roll the dice and on a day like today, when things go my way, that’s how it works out.”

Novak Djokovic leaves the court after losing his quarter-final match against Reilly Opelka. Picture: Getty Images

Not since his 2010 defeat to countryman Filip Krajnovic has Djokovic been beaten by a lower-ranked opponent.

Opelka’s stunning upset continues an incredible injury comeback after close to two years away from the ATP Tour.

Following major surgery to remove a tumour from his hip, followed by two separate wrist surgeries, Opelka once feared he might never play tennis again.

“Yeah I mean it was tough,” he reflected.

“A lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt. I watched a lot of my friends on TV … be great, which was fun and also motivating for me.

Reilly Opelka celebrates defeating Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International. Picture: AFP

“I watched Novak become the greatest (of all time) in that two-year period off. I found myself asking, ‘what would Novak do in my situation?’ I think that’s kind of the effect he’s had on the sport.

“I stayed the course, even when I was in a cast and on crutches and just hoping to have another chance out here like tonight.”

Boasting a career-high ranking of No.17 in the world, he began the summer barely inside the top 250 but with a game clearly ready to challenge the best in the world this month.

Opelka is through to the semi-finals in Brisbane where he will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Saturday in a battle of the two biggest serves on the ATP Tour.

DISASTER AS INJURY FORCES THOMPSON OUT, AUS OPEN HOPES IN DISARRAY

By Erin Smith

Jordan Thompson’s Australian Open hopes are in disarray after the World.26 was forced to withdraw from his Brisbane International quarterfinal with foot pain.

Thompson, 30, was on the back foot against No.2 seed Grigor Dimitrov - who took the first set in just 24 minutes.

Thompson, who never looked to be in the game, has a little over a week to be fit and firing for the Australian Open.

Going into the Brisbane International Thompson had been in top form, sitting at his career best ranking of 26 after winning his first ATP title at Los Cabos in November.

Thompson has had a rollercoaster of a tournament - taking three sets to win his first match.

His second game against 20-year-old Alex Michelsen was drawn out with the American needing a medical time out for a nose bleed.

Thompson had to fight back from 5-2 down and stared down a triple set point on serve before finally getting back in the game.

Jordan Thompson was forced to retire from his quarter-final match against Grigor Dimitrov at the Brisbane International. Picture: Getty Images

After the close encounter Thompson said:

“I don’t know what the words give up mean.

“It all started on Pat Rafter Arena last year, I beat Rafa (Nadal) in a three-hour marathon and it really kickstarted my year and gave me a lot of confidence and belief.”

But that confident Thompson took a big blow the second Dimitrov broke his first serve and he didn’t really get it back.

The Bulgarian needed just 24 minutes to take the first set 6-1, winning 92 per cent of his first serve points.

While Thompson notched up just 10 points the whole set.

Post match Dimitrov said he wasn’t aware that Thompson was sporting an injury.

The defending champion, Dimitrov is through to the semi-finals again. Picture: Getty Images

“I was just focused on the game,” Dimitrov said post match.

The following set got off to a better start for Thompson - who was able to hold his serve for just the second time in the match.

He forced the next game to deuce, putting Dimitrov under pressure but the Bulgarian didn’t crumble.

The rare slip of focus from Dimitrov proved to be an anomaly as he fired straight back to take the break and an early lead.

Thompson had to have treatment during the break - a physio called in to work on his calf muscle.

But it didn’t seem to help.After making a darting run to reach a shot from Dimitrov, just after the change of ends, Dimitrov pulled up short. Immediately running his hand across his throat - signalling he was out.

Dimitrov had won the first set 6-1 and was ahead in the second 2-1.