Serbia, led by Novak Djokovic, reached the quarter-finals of the United Cup on Tuesday, but is worried about its star player injured in the right wrist, while Stefanos Tsitsipas, suffering from his back, gave up the singles against Chile, before losing the mixed doubles, causing the defeat of Greece.
The Serbian world No.1 won in three sets against the Czech Jiri Lehecka in the group stage of the United Cup 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 6-1, but had to give up the mixed doubles due to wrist pain. To avoid taking any risks, the 36-year-old did not take part in the decisive mixed doubles, watching from the Serbian team's bench the epic victory of Olga Danilovic and Hamad Medjedovic against the Czech pair of Miriam Kolodziejova and Petr Nouza 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 10-8.
This result qualifies Serbia for the quarter against Australia on Wednesday and de facto eliminates the American title holders. “It happened in the warm-up before the match,” Djokovic said of his wrist problem, which comes just a week before he enters contention at the Australian Open.