Djokovic plays down injury scare as breakout teen sensation faces final test: LIVE Tennis

Djokovic plays down injury scare as breakout teen sensation faces final test: LIVE Tennis

The Australian Open is on the horizon but first the United Cup and Adelaide International will both draw to a close with finals to be played and winners to be crowned on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic had an injury scare on Saturday but has otherwise enjoyed an ideal lead-up to the Open, booking his spot in the Adelaide International final against Sebastian Korda.

The women’s final, meanwhile, sees second seed Aryna Sabalenka try to stop the stunning run of Czech teenager Linda Noskova.

Elsewhere, the United Cup final in Sydney will see Team USA and Italy match up for the inaugural title.

You can follow live updates from both events below along with a full preview of the action!

DJOKOVIC’S INJURY SCARE AS TEEN’S STUNNING SURGE CONTINUES

An intense Novak Djokovic brushed aside Daniil Medvedev on Saturday to set up an Adelaide International final against Sebastian Korda and played down injury concerns after appearing to tweak his hamstring.

The top seed, who has an ominous 22-1 record since September, was breathtaking at times as he cruised past the former world number one Russian 6-3, 6-4 in preparation for the Australian Open, where he is a nine-time champion.

In the women’s draw, unheralded Czech teenager Linda Noskova stunned world number two Ons Jabeur 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, with the qualifier into her first-ever final against second seed Aryna Sabalenka.

World number five Djokovic broke in both sets on Medvedev double-faults before lifting his intensity to storm home.

But he had a scare in the first set, clutching his left hamstring as he attempted to reach for a Medvedev cross-court forehand. He continued but then took a medical timeout.

Novak Djokovic hits a return. (Photo by Brenton EDWARDS / AFP)Source: AFP

“Thankfully nothing too serious, if it was I wouldn’t be able to continue,” he said.

“I just tried with some anti-inflammatories and it kind of settled in after a few games.

“I was just trying to keep the momentum going and don’t allow him to break my serve. The longer the match went my hamstring was warmer, I guess, and bothering me less.

“Hopefully for tomorrow it will be all fine,” he added.

Unseeded Korda, son of former world number two Petr Korda, was in charge 7-6 (7/5), 1-0 of his match when Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka called for a medical timeout for treatment in his upper right leg before pulling out of the match.

Elsewhere, 18-year-old Noskova had already upset two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka en route to the semis and carried that into her clash with Jabeur in only her sixth tour-level event.

“I don’t think either of us played 100 percent and I’m glad I got that last point to win, just really glad to play like this,” said the world number 102.

“I’m just going for it 100 percent all the time, just trying to push through.”

Jabeur had treatment on a lower back problem at 2-5 in the first set, but she bounced back to easily take the second before struggling in the third.

Sabalenka surged into the final by crushing Romanian veteran Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3, 6-2.

Barty announces pregnancy on IG | 00:26

HISTORY TO BE MADE AS FIRST UNITED CUP WINNER CROWNED

Earlier, the attention will be on Ken Rosewall Arena as Team USA and Italy battle it out to become the first-ever winners of the United Cup.

Stefanos Tsitsipas battled from a set down to topple Matteo Berrettini Saturday but it was in vain as an unstoppable Lucia Bronzetti powered Italy into the final against United States.

World number four Tsitsipas came through a do-or-die clash in Sydney 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 to earn a crucial point for his country and boost his confidence ahead of the Australian Open.

But it wasn’t enough with Bronzetti pummelling Greece’s Valentini Grammatikopoulou 6-2, 6-3 in the following match to give Italy an unassailable 3-1 lead.

They meet the United States in Sunday’s final after the red-hot Americans swept past Poland 5-0.

Fritz sends Team USA to United Cup Final | 00:59

Italy went into day two of the semi-finals with a 2-0 advantage after a gutsy Martina Trevisan upset world number six Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5 in a gripping encounter on Friday.

Trevisan’s teammate Lorenzo Musetti then crushed Greek teenager Stefanos Sakellaridis 6-1, 6-1.

Meanwhile, a composed Taylor Fritz beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in a battle of top 10 players to power the United States into the final.

The world number nine was too good for his big-serving opponent, ranked one place behind him, winning 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5).

Fritz came into the match with the United States already 2-0 up after Jessica Pegula stunned world number one Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-2 on Friday and Frances Tiafoe swept past Kacper Zuk 6-3, 6-3.

His victory gave them an insurmountable lead before Madison Keys made it 4-0 by beating Magda Linette 6-4, 6-2.

FULL ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE

Not before 4pm

Linda Noskova vs Aryna Sabalenka

Not before 6pm

Novak Djokovic vs Sebastian Korda

FULL UNITED CUP SCHEDULE

1pm

Jessica Pegula (USA) vs. Martina Trevisan (ITA)

Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs. Lorenzo Musetti (ITA)

5:30pm

Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. Matteo Berrettini (ITA)

Madison Keys (USA) vs. Lucia Bronzetti (ITA)

Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. Martina Trevisan (ITA) and Matteo Berrettini (ITA)

Follow all the action with live updates below! Can’t see it? Click here!