Novak Djokovic received treatment for a wrist issue during his United Cup match against Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday. Still, the world number one battled to a 6-1 6-7(3) 6-1 win that put Serbia on track to pip the Czech Republic 2-1 and make the quarter-finals. The 36-year-old Djokovic had a medical timeout after losing the second set tiebreaker but returned to play the third, taking a double break in the first game to move to 5-3 and never looking back.
The world number three converted three of the seven break points he earned in a dominant performance that thrilled a large Serb contingent in the stands at the RAC Arena. Djokovic dominated on serve, dropping only eight points in the match and hitting 16 forehand winners to double his opponent’s tally.
Having won the first four games of the opener, Djokovic looked in complete control as he raced to a 4-1 lead. But Lehecka fought back, winning three of the following five games to force a tiebreaker. In the breaker, Djokovic hit 14 winners to Lehecka’s two and closed the match in under an hour.
It was fitting for the 13-time Grand Slam champion to end his Australian Open campaign, having clinched the final spot at the ATP Finals with a triumph over Hyeon Chung in December. And it was a great start to the new season for the former champion, who has won 17 consecutive matches and is 17-1 since the start of 2023.
Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova steered her team to victory in the other Group B tie with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over Olga Danilovic. The pair will now face defending champions and world No. 2 Australia in the last eight on Wednesday.
