Germany advanced to the semi-finals in Melbourne ©Getty Images

Novak Djokovic was unable to prevent defending champions Serbia from being eliminated at the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Cup as Germany joined the semi-final line-up in Melbourne.

Play had been unable to take place yesterday after it was due to a COVID-19 case at a quarantine hotel.

Three matches were held today under a revised schedule after competition was permitted to resume at Melbourne Park.

The winners of the match between Serbia and Germany determined which team topped Group A and advanced to the semi-finals.

Jan-Lennard Struff gave Germany the perfect start to the contest by beating Dušan Lajović 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Rod Laver Arena.

World number one Djokovic lost the opening set of his match against Alexander Zverev on a tie-break, but hit back to win 6-7, 6-2, 7-5.

Djokovic joined forces with Nikola Cacic for the crucial doubles tie, but the duo suffered a 7-6, 5-7, 10-7 defeat to Struff and Zverev.

"It’s unfortunate we lost the tie," said Djokovic.

"That’s what this competition is all about.

"It’s about the team, not about winning one match.

"We’ll try another time."

Spain will compete in the semi-finals tomorrow ©Getty Images
Spain will compete in the semi-finals tomorrow ©Getty Images

Germany will face Russia in the semi-finals tomorrow.

The semi-final line-up was completed by Spain, who will take on Italy in the last four.

The Spanish team had cruised past Australia 3-0 in their opening fixture earlier this week, leaving them on the brink of a last four spot.

Pablo Carreño Busta eased to a 6-3, 6-4 win over Greece’s Michail Pervolarakis in the first match of the day to seal Spain’s place.

Greece went on to win the tie, with Stefanos Tsitsipas earning a 7-5, 7-5 victory against Roberto Bautista Agut.

Greece won the first game of the doubles tie before the Spanish team retired.

Austria and France played out a dead rubber as neither team could qualify for the semi-finals.

France’s Nicolas Mahut overcame Dennis Novak 7-6, 6-2 in the first match, before Dominic Thiem won the opening set of his tie against Benoit Paire 6-1.

Paire retired from the match after the opening set.

Mahut and Édouard Roger-Vasselin teamed up for the doubles rubber against Austria’s Philipp Oswald and Tristan-Samuel Weissborn.

The French pairing won 6-3, 6-3.

The semi-finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow.

The tournament is taking place prior to the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the year.