USA sweep aside India in Hopman Cup
The USA produced a dominant singles performance to sweep aside India in the opening match of the 20th Hyundai Hopman Cup at the Burswood Dome in Perth, Australia. The victory was made safe for the Americans thanks to a routine victory for Mardy Fish over Rohan Bopanna.
With more than 200 places in the world rankings separating the two competitors, Fish proved far too powerful and took the match in straight sets with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.
The gulf in class was bridged in a dramatic opening game that lasted 13 minutes, but Bopanna rarely produced consistent quality to trouble his experienced opponent.
However the USA were fortunate to claim the opening rubber in the mixed-gender event when Meghann Shaughnessy - a late replacement for Serena Williams - snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Sania Mirza.
Shaughnessy had raced to a 4-0 lead in the opening set and despite surrendering a break, went on to claim the set 6-3.
The American maintained her blistering pace at the start of the second, but Mirza fought back valiantly to level the match at one set all.
Leading 3-1 in the decisive third set, the Indian suffered leg cramps which gifted her opponent the final five games to take the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
There was to be some consolation for India, who took the mixed doubles in just over an hour with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Team USA, seeded second behind Serbia, now face the Czech Republic on Monday in their bid to dislodge the tournament's hot-favourites. India have another tough tie against sixth seeds Australia on Tuesday.
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