Alex de Minaur of Team Australia plays a forehand in his singles match against Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia during day six of the 2024 United Cup at RAC Arena on January 03, 2024 in Perth, Australia.
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Novak Djokovic crashed to his first defeat of the season with a stunning 6-4 6-4 loss to Alex de Minaur who gave Australia a 1-0 lead over Serbia in their United Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
Djokovic was hampered by a right wrist problem in Serbia’s victory over Czech Republic on Tuesday and the world number one had it worked on again by a trainer before De Minaur earned a late break and went on to clinch the opening set.
Australian Open champion Djokovic dropped serve yet again to hand De Minaur a 4-3 advantage in the second set and saved three match points later, but was unable to prevent the shock loss.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return shot to Alex de Minaur of Australia during the United Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, on Jan. 3, 2024.
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AP
Top seeds Poland earlier beat China to reach the semi-finals of the 18-team event after the big-hitting Hubert Hurkacz eased past Zhang Zhizhen 6-3 6-4 and Iga Swiatek fought back from 2-0 down in the first set to beat Zheng Qinwen 6-2 6-3.
It was Swiatek’s third straight singles victory in the event which the world number one is using to prepare for this month’s Australian Open.
Caroline Garcia and Adrian Mannarino guided France into the quarter-finals with a victory over Italy. World number 20 Garcia beat Jasmine Paolini 6-4 5-7 6-4 after Mannarino beat Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 6-4 in the Group D tie.
Greece took a 1-0 lead over Canada in Group B as Australian Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas won his first singles match of the season by beating Steven Diez 6-2 6-3.
The Australian Open runs from on Jan. 14-28.