ATP no.12 Alex De Minaur defeated World no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday at the United Cup in Perth, to give the host nation a 1-0 lead in their quarter-final tie against Serbia at the mixed teams event.
De Minaur delivered a very good all-around performance to clinch the biggest win of his career in 94 minutes.
Novak was broken once in each set, suffering his first defeat on Australian soil after six years and 43 consecutive wins.
Ajla Tomljanovic booked Australia’s ticket to the semi-finals in Sydney by beating Natalija Stevanovic 6-1, 6-1 in the WTA singles match next inside RAC Arena.
Novak is heading to Melbourne where he lifted a record-extending 10th Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in 2023, following a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
At the 2024 Australian Open, Djokovic is bidding to win his 25th Grand Slam trophy.
The first Major event of the season will take place from January 14 to January 28.
Photo: Profimedia
