Australia Green took command of Hopman Cup Group B with a 2-1 victory over Great Britain on Wednesday. Nick Kyrgios was the star of the show in Perth, as he beat Andy Murray in straight sets in the singles before teaming up with Daria Gavrilova to defeat Britain's world number two and Heather Watson in a thrilling doubles decider.
Watson levelled the tie up after Kyrgios' 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) victory over Murray with a spirited 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 7-5 win against Gavrilova. However, the 23-year-old's efforts proved to be in vain as Kyrgios and Gavrilova sent the capacity crowd at the Perth Arena into raptures with their hard-fought 6-2 6-7 (0-7) 11-9 doubles triumph.
Australia Green are now the only team in Group B to boast a 100 per cent record ahead of their tie with winless France on Friday. Speaking after his maiden singles victory over Murray, Kyrgios cited his improved preparation as the key to his success. "I've put a lot of work in the off-season," he said. "It's my favourite time of year by far."
Wednesday's other Group B tie saw Germany edge out France to bounce back from their opening-tie defeat to Australia Green. Sabine Lisicki and Alexander Zverev overcame Caroline Garcia and Kenny de Schepper 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 10-6 in a marathon mixed doubles clash to seal victory.
Earlier, 18-year-old Zverev had beaten De Schepper 6-2, 6-2 and Garcia defeated Lisicki 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in the singles.
Second final for Ukraine
Ukraine advanced to their second Hopman Cup final with a 2-1 win over Australia Gold in Perth. The home team needed to win the tie to stay alive, but Ukraine claimed both singles matches to ensure they finished their round robin phase unbeaten in three ties.
Lleyton Hewitt and Jarmila Wolfe won the dead mixed-doubles rubber for Australia in a match tiebreak. The pairing of Alexandr Dolgopolov and Elina Svitolina, who have both won all their singles matches this week, will play in Saturday's final.
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