Novak Djokovic struggled with a wrist injury as Australia shocked Serbia with a 3-0 victory in the quarter-finals of the United Cup. Poland also secured a spot in the semi-finals with a 3-0 win over China, while France and Greece completed sweeps of Italy and Canada respectively to advance.
Djokovic, who has been dealing with a right wrist issue throughout the tournament, managed to overcome Jiri Lehecka in Serbia’s previous Group E match against the Czech Republic. However, the world No. 1 faced a tough challenge against Alex de Minaur as the Australian utilized a strong defense and dominant serve to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Throughout the match, Djokovic visibly displayed discomfort and required treatment from the physiotherapist on two occasions during the first set. This loss marked Djokovic’s first defeat in Australia since the 2018 Australian Open quarter-finals.
Following Djokovic’s loss, Ajla Tomljanovic extended Australia’s lead to an insurmountable 2-0 by defeating Natalija Stevanovic 6-1, 6-1. Matthew Ebden and Storm Hunter then sealed the victory with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Serbian mixed doubles pair Dejana Radanovic and Nikola ai.
Reflecting on the historic win, De Minaur acknowledged Djokovic as an incredible competitor and expressed his joy at achieving the win. Australia’s triumph secured their first appearance in the semi-finals of the United Cup, and De Minaur described the moment as surreal and amazing.
Meanwhile, in other quarter-final matches, top-ranked Iga Swiatek led Poland to a 3-0 victory over China, and France, spearheaded by Caroline Garcia and Adrian Mannarino, emerged triumphant with a 3-0 win against Italy. Greece also secured a place in the semi-finals with a 3-0 victory over Canada, with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari delivering standout performances.
Poland will now make their way to Sydney for the semi-finals, where they will face either France or Norway. Swiatek expressed her excitement about the upcoming matches, highlighting the opportunity to enjoy some leisure time at Bondi Beach.
Caroline Garcia praised the French team’s progress, stating that they have surpassed their achievements from the previous year and are determined to keep going. In their quarter-final match against Italy, Mannarino and Garcia secured wins in singles matches, while the French pair Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin triumphed in the mixed doubles.
With Greece’s victory over Canada, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari showcased their skills in both singles matches and the mixed doubles. Tsitsipas returned to the court after missing Greece’s opener against Chile and defeated Canada’s Steven Diez 6-2, 6-3. Sakkari fought hard against Leylah Fernandez, saving four set points in the first set and coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the second set to secure a 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory.
As the United Cup quarter-finals concluded, the respective winning teams celebrated their victories and looked ahead to the semi-finals. Each team demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, making for an exciting tournament that captivated tennis fans around the world.
