Australia will tackle Workforce Serbia at RAC Enviornment for a spot within the United Cup semifinals.
Perth, Australia, 2 January 2024 | Dan Imhoff
After finishing considered one of his “top-five greatest matches” to stun Taylor Fritz at RAC Enviornment, Alex de Minaur accepts he may have to seek out one other gear to spring the upset on Novak Djokovic within the United Cup quarterfinals.
The Australian discovered his sharpest type to topple world No.10 Fritz en path to Australia’s slender 2-1 defeat of Workforce USA on Monday evening earlier than a Djokovic-led Serbia sealed a berth on Tuesday with a 2-1 conquer the Czech Republic.
De Minaur salvaged simply 5 video games in his solely prior encounter with the world No.1, within the fourth spherical of final yr’s Australian Open.
The stage was set for a rematch earlier than one other parochial Australia versus Serbia environment.
“It’s no secret Novak’s stage, it’s unimaginable, and he’s most likely the GOAT, if we’re trustworthy,” De Minaur mentioned.
“So, he began the yr robust. It’s going to be clearly extraordinarily powerful, however will probably be a problem that I’ll be trying ahead to, to hopefully going on the market and present what I can do.”
> READ: Australia secures last-ditch United Cup quarterfinal berth
Djokovic acquired remedy on his proper wrist throughout a three-set victory over Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday to stage Serbia’s tie with the Czechs, after Olga Danilovic got here up narrowly quick towards Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-1 3-6 6-3.
Danilovic and Hamad Medjedovic required one set from the deciding blended doubles towards Miriam Kolodziejova and Petr Nouza for Serbia to advance to the quarterfinals.
A 4-6 7-5 [10-8] victory sealed high spot in Group E and a showdown with Australia on Wednesday evening in Perth.
“After all, we’re taking part in a house nation tomorrow, most likely packed stadium, which is one thing that all of us are trying ahead to,” Djokovic mentioned. “They’re very robust, significantly doubles, and in addition singles, you already know, they’re very full…
“We all know that if it’s 1-1 after singles we’re most likely not favourites towards anyone, you already know, to win the blended, however we are going to absolutely struggle until the top.”
Workforce captain Lleyton Hewitt mentioned Djokovic had hit the bottom operating at Perth and was taking part in nice tennis from the outset.
“It’d be a real check for Alex. You understand, he most likely has to step as much as the plate and play even higher than (on Monday),” Hewitt mentioned.
“However they’re the checks and the challenges he needs. He’s pushing to get within the high 10 on the earth. That is the place he needs to be. He needs to problem himself towards the perfect gamers.”
> READ: New season brings new perspective for Tomljanovic
Ajla Tomljanovic and Danilovic will go face to face searching for their first singles win of this yr’s United Cup following two respective losses.
Tomljanovic continued her comeback from ongoing accidents that blighted her 2023 season with a much-improved displaying towards world No.5 Jessica Pegula on Monday evening.
Whereas she succumbed in two tight units it was a warning to her potential opponent in Australia’s quarterfinal.
“I believe individuals may underestimate me as a result of they know I haven’t performed shortly,” she mentioned.
“I really feel like I can nonetheless play a fairly good stage… I consider in myself however I’m not anticipating large issues as a result of I all the time attempt to deliver myself to the fact of the state of affairs that I haven’t performed a lot.
“It’s nonetheless such a technique of relearning my physique and the way I transfer and my recreation in a manner. It’s nearly like a brand new… chapter, as a result of issues are totally different. They really feel totally different.
“I really feel like daily, with each match, I’m studying a whole lot of what works, what doesn’t.”
West Australians Storm Hunter and Matt Ebden may show the deciding issue for the hosts’ possibilities of progressing to the semifinals in Sydney.
They may try and land a 3rd straight win of this yr’s United Cup after they meet the Serbians.
“To play with Matt, it’s actually a dream come true, and to get the win (towards the US) to provide ourselves the chance,” Hunter mentioned. “Yeah, this area is wonderful, the followers have been unimaginable.
“Wednesday hopefully, I believe it’s going to be one other massive crowd, which is superior. Truthfully, that’s why we play tennis, we need to play in these massive moments, you already know, and representing our nation. There’s no higher honour.”
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