Alex de Minaur's US Open prep rocked by towering American Reilly Opelka at Cincinnati Open
The Australian number one, who has already won a title in Washington during the North American swing, had been hoping for another deep run at the Masters 1000 event in Ohio before the third grand slam of the year in New York.
But despite having never lost previously to the 211cm Opelka, the biggest man on the ATP tour, de Minaur found the giant too hot to handle on a sizzling Sunday as the world number 73 prevailed 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 in their second-round clash.
Opelka, who had been defeated in their five previous meetings, was in scintillating form.
Going for broke on de Minaur's serve, Opelka not only saved all seven break points he faced in the one-hour 41-minute contest but also blasted down 14 aces among his 38 winners, with the high bounce generated from his booming delivery often forcing the Australian to take the return above shoulder height.
It was a rude shock for world number eight de Minaur, who's had a Tour-leading 24 hard court victories this season and who's hoping for the protection of a top-eight seeding in New York.
"I didn't serve as well as I'd have liked to, but everything else was working," Opelka said.
"I was pretty consistent from the baseline the whole match. My serve fluctuated and it was a bit of a surprise that the other things came through well for me today. I think I returned really well too."
AAP
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