United Cup: Alex de Minaur defeats Novak Djokovic as Australia progress to semi final

Novak Djokovic will take an injury cloud into the Aus Open as an Alex de Minaur led Australia defeated Serbia to progress to the United Cup semi final.

Alex de Minaur will enter the Australian Open as one of its hottest favourites after he continued his scintillating form to upset world number one Novak Djokovic in straight sets in Perth.

Djokovic will head to Melbourne Park under an injury cloud as he battles a right wrist issue which again prompted him to complain as he was beaten 6-4, 6-4 at RAC Arena on Wednesday night.

The relentless de Minaur snapped Djokovic’s record 43-match winning streak on Australian soil and avenged his heavy fourth-round defeat at last year’s Australian Open in blistering fashion.

The victory gave Australia the early advantage in its United Cup quarter-final tie against Serbia, with Ajla Tomljanovic then securing the Aussies’ passage to the semi final with victory over world No. 184 Natalija Stefanovic.

De Minaur said it felt “surreal” to have defeated Djokovic in front of a home crowd, in what was his first win over a world number one.

“Novak is an unbelievable competitor and what he’s done for the sport is pretty special … it feels amazing,” he said after the match.

Alex de Minaur is the third Aussie to beat Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images

“It couldn’t get any worse I guess,” he said when asked about the 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 loss at Melbourne Park last year.

“When you go against Novak you’ve just got to go out there, try enjoy (it), back yourself and no matter what, just keep fighting until the end.

de Minaur said his improvement had been driven by critics writing him off as not enough of a physical threat to match it with the world’s best.

“It comes from a lot of people not believing in me,” he said.

“So I’m just here to prove a lot of people wrong, try to keep on getting better.

“Ultimately, I’m never going to be the biggest or strongest guy, so I’ve got to adapt … I’m glad I was able to bring this level today.”

The 24-year-old was able to match the increased power he displayed during his demolition of world No. 10 Taylor Fritz on Monday, thumping a forehand winner down the line to steal a point off Djokovic’s serve which turned into a break after a procession of errors by the Serbian superstar.

Djokovic will look to rebound at the Australian Open. Picture: COLIN MURTY / AFP

As de Minaur took a 5-4 lead following the first set break, Djokovic could be heard telling his trainer: “The more I’m playing, it’s getting worse”, referring to his wrist injury.

The Australian world No. 12 won 100 per cent of points on his first serve in the opening set and continued to play aggressively in the second as he broke to take a 4-3 lead.

His trademark court coverage was on display in a brutal rally as he lunged to fend back three crushing blows from Djokovic before the champion sprayed his forehand into the net.

Djokovic served his way out of trouble to hold in that game, but de Minaur’s physicality sent a strong message on his way to his first win over the superstar in their second meeting.

The Australian blew three match points on his serve but held his nerve from deuce to close out the match in 93 minutes.

Originally published as United Cup: Alex de Minaur defeats Novak Djokovic as Australia progress to semi final