Novak Djokovic grappled with persistent wrist points as Australia delivered a shock 3-0 victory over Serbia within the United Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Poland additionally certified for the semifinals with a 3-0 victory over China, whereas France and Greece accomplished sweeps of Italy and Canada, respectively, to progress to the quarterfinals.
Djokovic, who has had an issue along with his proper wrist in the course of the match, discovered a well past Jiri Lehecka in Serbia’s earlier Group E match in opposition to the Czech Republic.
However, the world No. 1 struggled in opposition to Alex de Minaur because the Australian used excellent protection and a dominant serve to win 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic was clearly in discomfort in opposition to world No. 12 De Minaur and was twice handled by the physio in the course of the first set.
Djokovic mentioned he was not involved concerning the harm.
“I have enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open, and that’s what matters the most at this point,” he said. “I feel I’ll be OK, to be trustworthy. I knew that I most likely wasn’t going to be at my 100% bodily, emotionally, mentally, game-wise within the opening week of a season.”
The Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Jan. 14.
It was Djokovic’s first defeat in Australia since he misplaced his quarterfinal on the Australian Open in 2018.
Ajla Tomljanovic adopted up by giving Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead when she received 6-1, 6-1 in opposition to Natalija Stevanovic, who had stepped in for Olga Danilovic. Matthew Ebden and Storm Hunter then accomplished the rout by combining for a 6-3, 6-3 conquer Serbian blended doubles duo Dejana Radanovic and Nikola Cacic.
“It’s extra special,” De Minaur said as Australia sealed its maiden appearance in the semifinals. “Novak is an unbelievable competitor and what he’s executed for the game is fairly particular. It feels surreal, wonderful, and I’m very completely happy to do it right here in Perth.
“When you go up in opposition to Novak, it’s a must to exit and revel in it and again your self, and it doesn’t matter what, preserve preventing till the top. Today was my day, and I’m completely happy that I used to be capable of get the win.”
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek beat No. 14 Zheng Qinwen 6-2, 6-3 to present Poland a successful 2-0 lead after Hubert Hurkacz’s 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zhang Zhizhen.
The Polish pair Katarzyna Piter and Jan Zieliński sealed the sweep with a 6-3, 5-7, 10-7 win over You Xiaodi and Sun Fajing within the blended doubles.
The Poland group will journey throughout Australia for Saturday’s semifinals in Sydney, the place they may play both France or Norway.
“I really wanted to go to Sydney, especially because my coach (Tomasz Wiktorowski) told me that I can get three days off in Sydney afterward,” the 22-year-old Swiatek said. “So, for certain Bondi Beach is ready for us.
“But for now, we’ve obtained to concentrate on the semifinal and hopefully the ultimate. I’m actually pleased with my recreation and the way the ambiance within the group is.”
Earlier in Sydney, Caroline Garcia and Adrian Mannarino led France previous Italy.
Mannarino overcame Lorenzo Sonego in straight units earlier than Garcia beat Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to present France a 2-0 lead and make sure prime spot in Group D.
“We have gone a step further than last year,” Garcia said. “Obviously, we’re very pleased with it and we wish to preserve going.”
French pair Elixane Lechemia and Édouard Roger-Vasselin accomplished the sweep with a straight-sets win within the blended doubles.
No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas returned after lacking Greece’s opener in opposition to Chile to defeat Canada’s Steven Diez 6-2, 6-3 and provides his group the lead.
Maria Sakkari sealed Greece’s spot within the quarterfinals when she saved 4 set factors within the first set after which got here again from 3-1 down within the second to beat Leylah Fernandez 7-6 (2), 6-3. Tsitsipas and Despina Papamichail additionally beat Stacey Fung and Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 6-4 within the blended doubles.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
