Reilly Opelka is through to the third round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in over three years! The American faced Holger Rune in the Miami Open second round and prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 in two hours and three minutes.
Opelka suffered a break in the opener and provided 13 comfortable holds by the end of the duel! He forced a decider and claimed three straight points at 4-5 in the tie break to topple the favorite and advance into the last 32.
Rune played in the Indian Wells semi-final but failed to repeat that in Miami. The young Dane lost his focus in the decisive moments and suffered an early exit. Thus, he missed a chance to challenge Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev for a top-10 spot.
Reilly up and running.
Opelka upsets Indian Wells finalist Rune in 3 sets 💥 @atptour pic.twitter.com/gpGZvckYfV
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 23, 2025
The American took six points more than his rival. He outplayed Holger behind the second serve, although it was a tight encounter with only a couple of break chances. Reilly saved one of two he faced and Holger denied two of three to remain in contention.
Opelka took charge and fired 42 winners and 41 unforced errors. He led 44-38 in service winners and reduced his opponent to 17 direct points and 24 mistakes. The giant server stayed in touch with his rival from the baseline and emerged at the top.
Rune served well in the opening set and delivered his only break for an early advantage. The lower-ranked player netted a routine forehand in the fifth game. He saved the first break point, but the 11th seed converted the second with a forehand crosscourt winner.
Reilly Opelka, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Dane cemented the lead with a hold at 15 in game six and closed the eighth after deuces for a 5-3 advantage. Rune served for the opener at 5-4 and drew the rival’s mistake with a fine attack to wrap up the first part of the duel in 36 minutes.
Reilly provided five comfortable holds in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side. The American grabbed the opening game with a backhand winner and stepped in on the return in the next one.
Opelka secured a break with a booming backhand down the line return winner, building the advantage and landing a powerful serve a few minutes later for 3-0. Rune faced more issues behind the initial shot in the sixth game. He saved two break points and remained in touch.
Holger Rune, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The home player closed the seventh game with an ace and served for the set at 5-3. Opelka held at 30 with an unreturned serve, wrapping up the set 6-3 and forcing a decider after an hour and seven minutes. The final set offered no chances for the returners.
Rune held at love for 5-4, and Opelka responded with an ace in game ten and introducing a deciding tie break with another two games later. Holger landed a deep return and moved 2-0 in front. The fourth point saw an extended rally.
Reilly Opelka, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Reilly claimed it with a cracking backhand down the line winner, leveling the score at 2-2. Rune asked for a video review after claiming he was hindered by a light which came on. However, the chair umpire did not repeat the point.
The Dane stayed focused and claimed two points on serve at 3-4, moving two points away from the finish line. However, the home player landed another strong serve for 5-5 and generated a match point with a forehand crosscourt winner.
Opelka seized it with a valiant backhand down the line return winner, sealing the deal and moving into the third round in style.
Tennis World USA