Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat to Bernard Tomic at the mixed-teams Hopman Cup yesterday
The World No 1 will be aiming for his third straight Australian Open title in Melbourne later this month, and the Hopman setback was his first defeat on Australian soil since 2010.
Novak Djokovic gestures to the crowd during his 4-6, 4-6 defeat to Bernard Tomic in the Hopman Cup yesterday. Pics/getty images
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Djokovic was broken in the ninth game of each set in losing 6-4, 6-4 to the gifted 20-year-old. It was the first time the Serbian had been beaten by the enigmatic Tomic, ranked 52nd in the world, in four official meetings.
Djokovic (25) said he wasn’t overly concerned by the loss, having arrived in Perth only a few days ago after winning in Abu Dhabi.
“I knew I was coming here to Australia very late and it takes me time to get used to it.
“I know I am not close to my maximum, but I expected that. I was always on the back foot and he was the better player.”
Djokovic said he was well aware of Tomic’s talent, after the Australian reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2011 and the fourth round at last year’s Australian Open.
“He is right up there with the up-and-coming players, he is very talented,” he said of Tomic.
Tomic called it the best win of his career. He said: “I would say so, I played a very, very good match. The training is paying off, it’s a huge feeling. I am improving and this is a good sign.”
Results
Serbia beat Australia 2-1
Italy beat Germany 2-1u00a0
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