Nadal Upset By De Minaur At United Cup, FAA Falls In Adelaide; Djokovic, Medvedev Tues

Rafael Nadal remains winless in 2023. The Spaniard suffered his second loss of the new season Monday at the United Cup in Sydney falling to Australian star Alex De Minaur in a tough three setter 3-6, 6-1, 7-5.

“I think it’s definitely up there,” De Minaur said of where this win ranks. “It’s one of those achievements that you have unlocked in your career. But also, it’s a big win for myself, one that I really needed. I’m gonna cherish and use, take all the confidence from this and be able to hopefully take it to have a good Aussie summer.

“It’s always a surreal experience playing here. Just walking out there and hearing the support I get on that court is pretty special. No secret it is my favorite court to play on in front of friends and family. I’ve had so many great memories, and I’ve been able to add another one to it. I’m extremely stoked.”

Nadal drops to 0-2 after a 3-set loss to Cameron Norrie earlier. He has now lost six of his last seven matches.

“Six hours on court almost. I need hours on court. I need battles like this,” Nadal said after. “I didn’t play much official matches the last six months, almost seven. Days like these two help.

“Of course with victories the process is faster, but I need to keep fighting. That’s it. For moments, I played a good level of tennis. Playing good with the backhand. Changing directions with the forehand.”
“I have two weeks before the Australian Open starts. I can’t say that the situation is ideal, but at the same time, I can’t say that it’s very negative, because for moments, I was playing good.

“I think that two matches is gonna help me. I need to win a couple of matches.”

Alexander Zverev also is searching for his first win of the new year. The German who is return from a long injury layoff was defeated by Taylor Fritz 6-1, 6-4.

Stefanos Tsitsipas was also a winner for the Greek team. Today, Casper Ruud will take on Matteo Berrettini.

Adelaide wasn’t immune to upsets. With high hopes for 2023, Felix Auger-Aliassime was bundled out of the event by Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 7-6(5).

I’m pretty happy, it’s obviously an unbelievable feeling,” Popyrin told the crowd.

“I had a really, really tough season last year and to come out after qualifying and to beat a player of his quality just showed the work I did in the off-season is paying off already.”

Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev will open their 2023 seasons Tuesday in Adelaide. Djokovic will meet Constant Lestienne while Medvedev collides with Lorenzo Sonego.

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