United Cup 2024: De Minaur shocks Djokovic, gives Australia lead in quarterfinals

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.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur celebrates his win over Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in United Cup in Perth, Australia, on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: AP

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 its United Cup quarterfinal 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.

Top seed Poland earlier beat China to reach the semifinals 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 quarterfinals 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.