In the wake of lengthy sidelining due to a wrist injury, Reilly Opelka has embarked on his 2025 tennis campaign with a shock victory over none other than his own idol, Novak Djokovic. This notable triumph took place in the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International and catapulted him into the finals. However, his challenge for the title was hampered by injury during his bout against Jiri Lehecka from Czech Republic. Nevertheless, Opelka managed to leave an indelible mark on the tournament. Following his victory over Djokovic, the 27-year-old American admitted, “I’ve got a long way to go to get my ranking back where I’d like it, and my endurance back where I can compete at this level week in, week out.”
Despite his impressive performance in Brisbane, Opelka has seen a slight downturn in form. But he’s eager to make a victorious debut at the 2025 Miami Open. His first hurdle? Fellow American, Christopher Eubanks.
As we look forward to this clash, it’s worth noting that Opelka, in addition to his Brisbane final appearance, also made it to the quarterfinals at the Dallas Open. However, he has suffered three defeats in his last five matches and enters the Miami Open on the back of a 6(6)-7,3-6 loss to France’s Hugo Gaston at the Challenger Phoenix, US tournament.
Eubanks, on the flip side, has had his best performance to date at the Challenger Canberra, Australia. However, his form has dwindled since his quarterfinal run there. Eubanks approaches the Miami Open after losing five consecutive matches, his last win dating back to February at the Dallas Open. His latest loss was in the R32 round to Russia’s Roman Safiullin at the Challenger Phoenix, US.
Taking a look at the head-to-head record, Opelka and Eubanks have faced off three times with Opelka emerging victorious on all occasions. The record stands at a 3-0 margin to Opelka, with their most recent encounter taking place at the 2025 Delray Beach Open R32 (Opelka 6-3,7-6(7)).
Looking at their current form, Opelka seems to be in better shape with a win-loss record of 8-5 in 2025. Eubanks, despite ranking slightly higher at 104, has a less impressive record of 1-4.
Both players are known for their powerful serves and aggressive playing styles. Eubanks, standing at 6ft 7 inches, is renowned for his strong serves and aggressive net play, often ending points with volleys or overheads. Opelka, towering over Eubanks at 6ft 11 inches, is also recognised for his powerful serves, utilising his height to generate significant power. He’s racked up 227 aces this season already!
Opelka’s game, beyond powerful serves, includes a strong volley and an exceptional reach on the court, allowing him to secure points from exceptional positions. His backhand down the line is also noteworthy. Given his recent form and the stats at hand, it seems unlikely that Eubanks will be able to mount a significant challenge. The prediction is for Opelka to dominate this match and proceed further in straight sets.
