After Great Britain whitewashed Germany in the morning (with every rubber ending 6-3, 6-4), Australia Gold had to make sure they beat to reach Saturday’s final against Ukraine and did so with a nerve-wracking 11-9 super tie-break win in the final tie.
Before that, Nick Kyrgios did his part with double 6-4 win against Kenny De Schepper but Caroline Garcia levelled things up with a straight sets victory over Daria Gavrilova.
Australia haven’t won the Hopman Cup since 1999 when Mark Philippoussis Jelena Dokic title lifted the title and last reached the final in 2003 with Lleyton Hewitt and Alicia Molik flying flag, although it must be said that their chances were increased this year with the inclusion of two teams.
“It’s an event that’s been held for a long, long time, before I was even born. It’s pretty special. Especially me and Dasha, we grew up together in juniors. Hopefully we can bring it home”, said Kyrgios.
The key in the final will be the match up between Dolgopolov and Kyrgios, who are both unbeaten so far in the competition and playing top level tennis. Two nations looking to and a lengthy drought without any silverware go head to head tomorrow in a scintillating clash at the Perth Arena.
