Novak Djokovic (36) started the new tennis season the same way he ended the 2023 season: strong and at an excellent level. The ATP leader defeated Zhizhen Zhang, the 58th player in the world, at the United Cup.

Novak DjokovicPhoto: Marco Canoniero / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

It was a narrow victory for Nole: 6-3, 6-2 at the end of a game that lasted an hour and 14 minutes.

Serbia is currently leading 1-0 in the match against China.

Know:

  • With that win, the Joker is 17-1 (win/loss) in the opening game of a new season since 2007.

What you need to know about the United Cup

  • The United Cup, which replaced the former Hopman Cup, features 18 nations in six groups, with matches in Perth and Sydney.
  • The top-placed teams from the six groups and the best two runners-up advance to the quarter-finals, which will take place from 3 to 5 January 2024.
  • The semi-finals will be held on January 6, and the grand final will be held on January 7 in Sydney. The total prize fund of the competition is 10 million US dollars.

What the United Cup groups look like

Played in Perth

Group A: Poland, Spain, Brazil

Group C: USA, Great Britain, Australia

Group D: Czech Republic, China, Serbia

Played in Sydney

Group B: Greece, Canada, Chile

Group D: France, Italy, Germany

Group F: Croatia, Netherlands, Norway.

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