PERTH, Australia — Novak Djokovic continued to battle along with his wrist damage as Australia shocked Serbia with a 3-0 win within the quarterfinals of the United Cup 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 through the event, discovered a well beyond Jiri Lehecka in Serbia’s earlier Group E match in opposition to the Czech Republic.
Nonetheless, the world No. 1 struggled in opposition to Alex de Minaur because the Australian used an outstanding 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 through the first set.
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 overcome Serbian blended doubles duo Dejana Radanovic and Nikola Ćaćić.
“It is additional particular,” de Minaur mentioned as Australia sealed its maiden look within the semifinals. “Novak is an unbelievable competitor and what he is finished for the game is fairly particular. It feels surreal, wonderful, and I am very glad to do it right here in Perth.
“While you go up in opposition to Novak it’s important to exit and revel in it and again your self, and it doesn’t matter what hold combating till the tip. Right this moment was my day and I am glad that I used to be capable of get the win.”
Prime-ranked Iga Swiatek beat No. 14 Zheng Qinwen 6-2, 6-3 to offer Poland a profitable 2-0 lead after Hubert Hurkacz’s 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zhang Zhizhen.
Polish pair Katarzyna Piter and Jan Zieliński sealed the sweep with a 6-3, 5-7, 10-7 win over You Xiaodi and Solar Fajing within the blended doubles.
The Poland workforce will journey throughout Australia for Saturday’s semifinals in Sydney, the place they’ll play both France or Norway.
“I actually needed to go to Sydney particularly as a result of my coach [Tomasz Wiktorowski] instructed me that I can get three days off in Sydney afterwards,” the 22-year-old Swiatek mentioned. “So, for positive Bondi Seashore is ready for us.
“However for now we have to concentrate on the semifinal and hopefully the ultimate. I am actually pleased with my recreation and the way the ambiance within the workforce 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 offer France a 2-0 lead and ensure prime spot in Group D.
“We’ve got gone a step additional than final yr,” Garcia mentioned. “Clearly we’re very pleased with it and we need to hold going.”
French pair Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin accomplished the sweep with a straight- units 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 workforce 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.
