Spain await opponents for Hopman Cup final
Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez
Featured
Azarenka and Clijsters felled in Indian Wells
Fourteenth seed Kim Clijsters and world No.6 Victoria Azarenka became the latest upsets at the BNP Paribas Open after both lost in round three
Latest Category Articles
The race for a spot in the Hopman Cup final has been blown wide open after Kazakhstan clinched a surprise victory over Russia in Group B.
With Spain confirmed for Saturday’s final after defeating favourites and host nation Australia, Great Britain can assure themselves a show down with Tommy Robredo and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez if they beat Russia on Friday.
Anything but a victory over Russian pair Elena Dementieva and Igor Andreev would leave the fate of Andy Murray and Laura Robson at the hands of calculations – a scenario Murray will be keen to avoid – with memories still afresh from his elimination from the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals by one solitary game.
Kazakhstan could also be in with a chance of a shock final berth if they beat the out-of-contention German team of Sabine Lisicki and Phillipp Kohlschreiber, who lost both their opening matches.
Great Britain will still advance to the final even if they lose to Russia, so long as Murray defeats Andreev in straight sets. The scenario also relies on Kazakhstan failing to beat Germany, but if they win 2-1, the fate of the two countries will be settled on a count back of sets, followed by games if necessary.
But with the potential of more mind-boggling calculations in the offing, Murray knows he and Robson can eradicate all other possibilities and ensure a place in the final by winning the mixed doubles and beating Andreev – a player he has never faced on the ATP Tour.
“I’ve practiced with him the first day we both got here, the world No.4 said of his 26-year-old opponent.
“He plays a lot of topspin, he’s got a big serve and he’s a big strong guy so you don’t want to get into too many long rallies with him.”
The Brit may have half an eye on potential final opponents Spain after they breezed past Australia with a commanding 3-0 victory. Robredo and Jose Martinez Sanchez dropped just 11 games between them in their straight sets singles victories over Samantha Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt.
The Spanish duo then safely negotiated a spirited Aussie effort in the mixed doubles, winning 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (10/7) to ensure a third Hopman Cup whitewash in Perth.
