Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1, continued to struggle with his wrist injury as Australia stunned Serbia with a 3-0 win in the quarterfinals of the United Cup. Despite having a problem with his right wrist throughout the tournament, Djokovic managed to find a way past Jiri Lehecka in Serbia’s previous Group E match against the Czech Republic. However, the Serbian player struggled against Alex de Minaur, as the Australian utilized a superb defense and a dominant serve to claim a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Djokovic’s discomfort was evident throughout the match, receiving treatment from the physio twice during the first set. This defeat marked Djokovic’s first loss in Australia since his quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open in 2018.
Poland also secured a place in the semifinals of the United Cup with a resounding 3-0 victory over China. The team’s top-ranked player, Iga Swiatek, emerged triumphant against Zheng Qinwen with a 6-2, 6-3 win, giving Poland a winning 2-0 lead. Hubert Hurkacz added to the team’s success with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zhang Zhizhen. The Polish duo, Katarzyna Piter and Jan Zieliński, sealed the sweep with a hard-fought 6-3, 5-7, 10-7 win over You Xiaodi and Sun Fajing in the mixed doubles. With this convincing performance, Poland secured its spot in the semifinals and will travel to Sydney to face either France or Norway.
Caroline Garcia and Adrian Mannarino led France to a commanding victory against Italy. Mannarino defeated Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets, while Garcia battled past Jasmine Paolini with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 win. The French pair of Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin completed the sweep with a straight-sets victory in the mixed doubles. This victory secured France’s position at the top of Group D, surpassing their performance in the previous year’s competition. The French team is determined to continue their winning streak as they progress to the next stage of the United Cup.
In a thrilling contest, Stefanos Tsitsipas returned from missing Greece’s opener against Chile to lead his team to victory over Canada. Tsitsipas displayed his masterful skills and defeated Steven Diez with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 score. The fate of Greece’s spot in the quarterfinals came down to Maria Sakkari’s match against Leylah Fernandez. Sakkari showcased her resilience by saving four set points in the first set and coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the second set to secure a 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory. Tsitsipas and Despina Papamichail further contributed to Greece’s success by defeating Stacey Fung and Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 6-4 in the mixed doubles. This outstanding performance ensures Greece’s place in the next stage of the competition.
The United Cup has seen some exhilarating matches and surprising outcomes. Novak Djokovic’s struggle with his wrist injury hindered Serbia’s chances of success, leading to their defeat against Australia. Poland made a strong statement with their comprehensive victory over China, clinching a semifinal spot. France displayed their dominance by defeating Italy in a sweep, asserting their status as the top team in Group D. Lastly, Greece showcased their resilience and determination to secure a quarterfinals victory against Canada. The competition intensifies as the remaining teams fight for a place in the tournament’s prestigious final.
Leave a Reply