Nick Kyrgios maintained his unbeaten record in this year's Hopman Cup as he and Daria Gavriolva overcame Kenny de Schepper and Caroline Garcia in the deciding mixed doubles clash to see Australia Green through to the final.
The fiery Kyrgios was embroiled in a number of controversies on and off court last year, but has begun 2016 in fine style with wins in all of his six matches in this tournament. Friday's success over France ensures Australia Green top Group B and will take on Ukraine in Saturday's final in Perth.
Earlier, Great Britain had swept Germany 3-0 to raise their hopes of usurping Australia, but Kyrgios and Gavrilova held their nerve in a final-set tie-break to seal a 2-1 victory and their progression to the final.
Kyrgios got his team on the board with a routine 6-4, 6-4 win over De Schepper first up, but Australia were made to sweat as Garcia pulled France level with a 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) triumph against Gavrilova.
Kyrgios and Gavrilova then combined in the mixed doubles, standing firm in the deciding tie-break. At match point down, a stunning drop volley from Gavrilova rescued the Australians, who went on to close out a 6-4 2-6 11-9 win that booked their place in the showpiece against Ukraine.
The pressure had been applied by GB duo Andy Murray and Heather Watson, who romped to a clean sweep of German pair Alexander Zverev and Sabine Lisicki. World number two Murray dispatched Zverev 6-3 6-4, before Watson saw off Lisicki by the same scoreline and the pair combined to prevail in the mixed doubles, again 6-3 6-4.
That success gave GB hope of reaching the final, but ultimately the day belonged to Kyrgios and Gavrilova.
Comments
SHARE