Alex de Minaur has recorded the biggest win of his career, stunning world No.1 Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 in the United Cup.
It helped Australia advance into the semi-finals, where they’ll face either Germany or Greece on Saturday in Sydney.
With Djokovic complaining of a wrist and forearm injury which has bothered him throughout the nation-based team tournament, Australia’s world No.12 produced one of his best ever performances, just as he did to upset Rafael Nadal at last year’s event.
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While it’s fair to say the Serbian superstar may not have been treating the event with as much intensity as he would an Australian Open match, the result is still a stunner heading into the season-opening grand slam.
De Minaur had three match points at 5-4 and 40-0 in the second set, but Djokovic managed to save all three, before losing the next two points and thus the match.
Djokovic had won 43 consecutive matches in Australia, his previous loss coming in the fourth round of the 2018 Australian Open to Korea’s Hyeon Chung, a streak that included four titles and the 2022 tournament he missed due to being deported.
De Minaur had never before beaten a player ranked No.1 in the world at the time of their match.
Djokovic had said he was managing a wrist issue during his group stage win over Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday, and complained to the trainer during the opening set against de Minaur.
“The more I’m playing, it’s getting worse,” he declared.
De Minaur continues to build momentum heading into the Australian Open with the highest ranking he’s ever held at his home slam, following a straight sets win over world No.10 Taylor Fritz earlier this week.
He had previously faced Djokovic just once in his career, losing 6-2 6-1 6-2 in the fourth round of last year’s Australian Open.
“It’s something I’ve heard my whole career. I’m not big enough, I’m not strong enough, I’m a pusher, don’t have the firepower, never gonna be a top player. I hear this week in and week out,” de Minaur said post-match.
“But the only thing that does it give me more fire and adds more gasoline to this engine that’s ready to do everything in its power to prove people wrong. Hey, everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but I know I’m gonna get the absolute most out of myself.”
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Australia then clinched a spot in the semis thanks to Ajla Tomljanovic’s 6-1 6-1 victory over world No.184 Natalija Stefanovic.
Tomljanovic was set to face world No.121 Olga Danilovic – who took a set off Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova yesterday – but the Serb women’s No.1 withdrew from the clash due to fatigue.