Novak Djokovic's wrist injury dooms Serbia to Australia defeat

Novak Djokovic suffered a frustrating fitness saga as a wrist problem led to the Serbs upset 64 64 loss to Australias Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals of the United Cup in Perth on WednesdayDjokovic who received multiple massages on court on his troublesome right wrist hurt in training 24 hours earlier fell victim to an inspired de Minaur who led his side into the weekend semifinals in Sydney Ajla Tomljanovic then sealed the 20 win for the team with her 61 61 defeat of Serb 184thranked substitute Natalija Stevanovic Stevanovic had replaced an exhausted Olga Danilovic who featured in previous ties here alongside Djokovic World number one Djokovic produced 31 unforced errors as his 43match win streak in Australia was ended after 93 minutes on court against de Minaur I was not on my level it was just one of these days where you didnt feel your best Djokovic said Your opponent played very well Thats all I can say I think I have enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open and thats what matters the most at this point I knew I was not going to be at 100 per cent physically emotionally mentally gamewise in the opening week of a season Its all a part of the buildup for the Australian Open thats where I want to perform at my best Victory marked revenge for the lowkey de Minaur beaten by Djokovic a year ago at the Australian Open The 24yearold Australian was recording his first victory over a world number one adding Djokovic to a list which also includes Rafael Nadal the number two whom he beat here a year ago This was extremely special Novak is an unbelievable competitor de Minaur said This feels surreal Im happy to do it here in Australia When you go against Novak you just have to try and enjoy itYou must keep fighting to the end Today was my day Im happy I was able to get the win This one means a lot Djokovic was seen twice by the trainer in the opening set and at one point said The more Im playing its getting worse The 36yearold with 10 Australian Open trophies was broken once per set his second miscue coming on a doublefaultAlso Read World No 1 Djokovic taking it season by season Down UnderEarlier topranked Poland overpowered China with Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek propelling them into the semifinals with a singles sweep The pair of straightset victories in Perth put the tie out of reach and sent the Poles into a clash against either Norway or France in Sydney Adrian Mannarino and Caroline Garcia had earlier booked France a last eight tie against the Norwegians with victory over Italy Hurkacz secured a clinical 63 64 defeat of Zhang Zhizhen before world number one Swiatek followed up winning nine games on the trot at one point to beat Zheng Qinwen 62 63 despite losing serve twice Swiatek was eager to get to Sydney as the first nation to qualify for the semifinals of the 18nation mixed team tournament Bondi Beach here we come she said after swatting aside Zheng who was the 2023 WTA Most Improved Player Im looking forward to a day off Hurkacz fired 10 aces as he dismissed Chinese number one Zhang Its always a tough match with him He can play some amazing shots the winner said In Sydney journeyman Mannarino who enjoyed his bestever season last year swept past Lorenzo Sonego 64 64 before Garcia overcame a stubborn Jasmine Paolini 64 57 64 It gave France an unassailable 20 lead to put them into the knockout rounds The last quarterfinal slot will be decided when Greece meet Canada with the winner facing the best runnerup from group play in Sydney The Sydney quarterfinals are played on Thursday and Friday before the semis on Saturday and the final a day laterWith agency inputs