United Cup: Australia, Poland, Greece, France Make Semi-finals

Australia qualified for their first-ever United Cup semi-final after shocking Serbia on Wednesday in Sydney.

Leading the charge was World No. 12 Alex de Minaur, who defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 in an inspiring match.

In 94 minutes, De Minaur achieved his greatest career victory with an outstanding all-around effort in which he won 33 of 34 points off of first serves.

After de Minaur, Ajla Tomljanovic completed the victory, defeating Natalija Stevanovic of Serbia 6-1, 6-1 to give Australia a commanding 2-0 lead.

Earlier on Wednesday at the United Cup in Perth, de Minaur set a remarkable precedent for both his 2024 campaign and Australia’s ambitions of winning the United Cup.

With his triumph over Djokovic, De Minaur brought his nation within one win of a home semifinal berth in the mixed teams competition.

By defeating Natalija Stevanovic in the upcoming WTA singles match inside RAC Arena, his colleague Ajla Tomljanovic has the opportunity to secure Australia’s spot in the Sydney final four.

In Perth on Wednesday, WTA World No. 1 Iga Swiatek defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen 6-2, 6-3, propelling Team Poland into the United Cup semi-finals for the second year in a row.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek defeated 21-year-old Zheng in one hour and 34 minutes to seal the quarterfinal tie, after another Top 10 Pole Hubert Hurkacz had won the opening men’s singles match. After that, Poland won 3-0 thanks to Piter Katarzyna and Jan Zielinski’s 6-3, 5-7, 10-7 victory over You Xiaodi and Sun Fajing.

Poland will now fly from Perth to Sydney to compete in this weekend’s semi-finals after losing to eventual champion United States in last year’s final four.

After overcoming Leylah Fernandez 7-6(2), 6-3 in the opening set and saving four set points in the second, Maria Sakkari ensured Greece’s place in the United Cup quarterfinals in Sydney.

Earlier on Wednesday, World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas gave Greece a 1-0 lead versus Canada by defeating Steven Diez 6-2, 6-3, capping off a perfect start to his 2024 singles season.

France also moved into the last four with a 3-0 victory against Italy.

Adrian Mannarino defeated Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets to give France the lead before Lechemia/Roger-Vasselin defeats Brancaccio/ Cobolli in the mixed doubles 7-6(5) 6-4 to put France into the semi-finals.