UNIONDALE, N.Y. — If Reilly Opelka does one day receive the torch as the top American male tennis player, his performance at the New York Open this week may be seen as a turning point.
Opelka, a 21-year-old ranked No. 89 coming into the tournament, scored the achievement of his young career Sunday, defeating Brayden Schnur, 6-1, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (7), in the final of the New York Open. It was Opelka’s first ATP title, and in fact his first appearance in a tour-level final since he turned professional in 2015.
After a terrific opening to the season, Opelka has drawn notice as a potential heir to John Isner, the current top-ranked American man.