(Perth) World number one Novak Djokovic, reduced by wrist pain, was unable to do anything against Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who qualified at the expense of Serbia for the semi-finals of the United Cup on Wednesday in Perth, Australia.
In the semi-final of this mixed team tournament, the Australians will face Greece, who defeated Canada on Wednesday, or Germany, while Poland, who dominated China, will meet the winner of France-Norway.
De Minaur, 12th in the ATP, disposed of Djokovic in 94 minutes (6-4, 6-4), with a percentage of points won on his phenomenal first serve (33/34).
The 36-year-old Serbian, who made more unforced errors (31), played with pain in his right wrist which had made him give up the mixed doubles against the Czech Republic the day before, during the last match of the group stage . Embarrassed in his shots, he called on the trainer twice during the match.
“I wasn’t at my level, it was just one of those days where you don’t feel at your best,” said the winner of 24 major tournaments. He sees a series of 43 victories come to an end on Australian soil, less than two weeks before the Australian Open (January 14-28), which he has won ten times and of which he is the title holder.
The Australian victory point was brought by Ajla Tomljanovic, who sharply beat the Serbian player Natalija Stevanovic (6-1, 6-1).
For its part, Greece swept Canada 3-0 to reach the quarters thanks to Stefanos Tsitsipas who defeated Steven Diez (6-2, 6-3), Maria Sakkari who defeated Leylah Fernandez (7 -6, 6-3) and in the mixed doubles Despina Papamichail/Petros Tsitsipas who beat the pair Stacey Fung/Félix Auger-Aliassime (7-5, 6-4).
The Greeks will face the Germans for a place in the semi-finals.
Earlier, Poland had outclassed China, thanks to victories by Hubert Hurkacz over Zhang Zhizhen (6-3, 6-4) and world number one Iga Swiatek against Zheng Qinwen (6-2, 6 -3).
France, which won its ticket to the quarters on Wednesday at the expense of Italy, will face Norway of Casper Ruud, 11th in the world, on Thursday for a place in the last four.