Opelka Takes Down Isner For Houston Title in Tallest Ever Tennis Final

In the tallest pro final ever, Reilly Opelka topped his countryman and buddy John Isner 6-3, 7-6(7) to win the Houston title.

It’s Opelka’s fourth career ATP title — second of 2022 — and first on clay. He also leads Isner 5-1 in their series winning the last five!

“He was my idol growing up as a kid, and before I even met him, I liked him. But since we’ve become such good friend and spent so much time on Tour, I like him even more now,” Opelka said of Isner on the court. “He’s been an unbelievable role model for not just myself, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul. We all say the same. He’s been an unbelievable competitor for a long time.”

Opelka lost his opening set of the event to Mitchell Krueger and that was his lone blemish.

Isner, though, had a chance to force a decider leading 6-4 in the second set breaker, but dropped three of the last four points on the match.

“We’ve played a handful of times and you keep on beating me. I hate you for that,” Isner said to Opelka during the trophy ceremony. “But it was really cool to play you in a final. I think that’s very unique. Obviously there are a lot of similarities between Reilly and I, but I’m much older than him and he has a lot more years ahead of him on Tour, so for me to get to play you in a final, I think that’s very, very special.”

The 36-year-old Isner fell short of winning his 17th career title.

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