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Reilly Opelka credits improved facilities for Wimbledon progress

Reilly Opelka credits improved facilities for Wimbledon progress
© Reuters
The American knocked Stan Wawrinka out of the tournament on day three.

American giant Reilly Opelka is enjoying the comforts of Wimbledon after struggling to find a bed that he could fit into at Eastbourne last week.

Opelka, who measures in at 6ft 11in, produced the shock of the day by beating Stan Wawrinka in five sets to record his best ever run at a grand slam.

Perhaps that is down to being able to stay in the luxury of the Chelsea Harbour Hotel on the Thames, which is a far cry from his accommodation at the Nature Valley International on the south coast.

The 21-year-old lost in the opening round to compatriot Steve Johnson and was not too enthusiastic about his living arrangements.

Asked if he could find a hotel with a bed that he can fit in, he replied: "Not really.

"They didn't have air conditioning, which is shocking. It's like 100 degrees. Every year I come here, and am like, 'Why is there no AC?'. They're like, 'Oh, it's never hot here'.

"Every year it's over 80 degrees. I'm like, 'That's not true'.

"I'm comfortable here. I stay at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel, which has been great for me.

"Last week was rough. In Eastbourne, kind of like an older town, wasn't much there for me."

Opelka is in to the third round of a grand slam for the first time and there is no surprise it has come at SW19, having been junior champion here in 2015.

His huge serve, sending down missiles in excess of 140mph against Wawrinka, is his biggest weapon, meaning their could be an ace-fest in the next round against Milos Raonic.

"Definitely not a lot of rallies," he added. "Obviously he's been a really good player on grass and he's done well, especially at Wimbledon.

"Again, he's the favourite, he's had more experience here."


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