Slovakia win Hopman Cup
Saturday, 8 January 2005 10:15Fighting performances by Daniela Hantuchova and Dominik Hrbaty fired the Slovak Republic to a second victory in the Hopman Cup international mixed teams tournament in Perth today. The third seeds overpowered Argentina 3-0.
Hantuchova, ranked 31st in the world, started nervously against Gisel Dulko but recovered in a see-sawing second set before taking out the match 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
In the men's singles, world number 14 Dominik Hrbaty never looked threatened as he swept past the talented Guillermo Coria 6-4, 6-1 in just 58 minutes. The dead mixed doubles rubber was forfeited by Argentina.
"I was struggling a lot today I think on every shot because I
was just so tired and nervous," said Hantuchova. "That's what happens sometimes. I'm just really glad that I didn't give up and just kept fighting for every point."
The Slovaks had lost only one of their ties on the way to the final - against Australia - and defeated second-seeded the United States and the Netherlands, although the latter victory came courtesy of a walkover.
Argentina, the tournament fourth-seeds, beat Italy, had a walkover win against Germany and then edged the United States to earn their place in the final.
