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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic fell to No. 12 Alex De Minaur in the United Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, 6-4, 6-4. The upset defeat snapped Djokovic’s 43-match winning streak in Australia and was his first defeat in the land down under in six years.
De Minaur, who is Australian, said after the match that Wednesday’s meeting with the 24-time Grand Slam victor couldn’t go any worse than their last head-to-head. Djokovic defeated De Minaur in straight sets at the 2023 Australian Open 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.
The “Joker” had last lost a match in Australia at the 2018 major to Chung Hyeon in the fourth round after he was impacted by an elbow injury.
According to an ESPN and Reuters report, Djokovic was “hampered by a right wrist problem” during Serbia’s win against Czech Republic on Tuesday. The report added that he had his wrist “worked on again by a trainer” prior to De Minaur clinching the opening set.
The United Cup precedes the year’s first Grand Slam later this month, as the 2024 Australian Open takes place from Jan. 14-28. Djokovic won the 2023 event and has captured a men’s record 10 singles titles.
The 36-year-old broke Rafael Nadal’s record for career Grand Slams when he won the 2023 French Open, before losing in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic added to his trophy case when he earned his 24th major during the U.S. Open last September.
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