Sidelines: Palm Coast's Opelka wins tennis title in Bordeaux

Also in the Observer: Recruiting heats up for FPC's Paul.


  • By
  • | 2:52 p.m. May 22, 2018
Reilly Opelka rallied from a set down to defeat Gregoire Barrere 6€“7, 6€“4, 7€“5. Courtesy photo
Reilly Opelka rallied from a set down to defeat Gregoire Barrere 6€“7, 6€“4, 7€“5. Courtesy photo
  • Palm Coast Observer
  • Sports
  • Share

Palm Coast native Reilly Opelka rallied from a set down to defeat Gregoire Barrere 6–7, 6–4, 7–5 in the ATP Challenger Tour's BNP Paribas Primrose in Bordeaux, France. Opelka fired 22 aces and saved five of six break points faced.

"I served great, served a lot of aces from the first match and competed really hard," Opelka said in a release. "I love it here [in Bordeaux]. Even off the court I've been hanging out in the city a lot and enjoying my time. The architecture is incredible."

The title marked Opelka's first clay-court crown at any level and second victory overall on the Challenger circuit. He previously prevailed on the indoor hard courts of Charlottesville in 2016. At 20 years old, Opelka became the third-youngest winner this year.

Recruiting heats up for FPC's Paul

Nelson Paul, the Bulldogs' defensive end who led the area in sacks in 2017, is starting to rack up scholarship offers from college football programs all around the country. In the past few weeks, the junior has received offers from Air Force, Marshall, Mercer, Southern Miss, Western Kentucky, Georgia State and Pittsburgh.

Horseshoe scores

The winners for the Flagler County Horseshoe Pitching Club tournament on Thursday, May 17, are Bob Flanagan and David Wingard.  They won 5-of-6 games played in the tournament.

 

 

 

Latest News

×

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.