The opening day of the Hopman Cup ended in disappointment for the home fans after defending champions Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova were edged out 2-1 by Spain.
Facing the Spanish duo of Feliciano Lopez and Lara Arruabarrena, the Australian’s got off to a strong start thanks to a solid performance from Kyrgios in the men’s singles. Showing little signs of rustiness following his unfortunate ending to the 2016 season due to a suspension from the tour, Kyrgios brushed Lopez aside 6-3, 6-4, with the help of 14 aces and 30 winners.
“I’m really happy with that performance today, he’s a great player and he’s a great friend of mind as well.” The 21-year-old said after the win.
“I know that this is going to be a crucial event for me leading to the Aus Open, so I’m doing everything I can right now to give me the best chance to do well in the Aussie (Open)”. He later added.
Australia’s downfall began in the women’s singles when a patchy display, consisting of 30 unforced errors and six double faults, from Gavrilova allowed Arrubarrena to take full advantage during Spain’s 7-5, 6-1, triumph to level the clash.
With all to play for in the mixed doubles, which for the first time this year is being played under fast4 rules, Spain outplayed Australia in every aspect by being the more complete team and communicating more efficiently. Their experience of winning multiple titles in doubles competitions (albeit with different partners) proved decisive as they surged to a 4-0, 4-2, win, gifting them their first victory in the tournament.
In a late twist of humour, Lopez admitted that initially he was unaware that he has won the mixed doubles match. Under fast4 rules, there is no ad-scoring and therefore at 40-40 the next point decides the game.
“He (Lopez) didn’t know we already finished the match.” Said Arruabarrena during their on-court interview.
“No, to be honest, I didn’t know. That‘s why I hit a great return.” Lopez joked after.
Sock and Vandeweghe march on
Next for Spain will be the duo of Jack Sock and Coco Vandeweghe. The American team got off to an almost perfect start by defeating the Czech Republic 3-0 earlier in the day.
The start of the tie saw world No.23 Sock getting pushed to his limits by Adam Pavlasek before seeing the Czech off 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, in a match lasting almost two hours. Vandeweghe ensured the decisive 2-0 lead when she cruised past Lucie Hradecka 6-4, 6-2.
“I played a decently clean match. It’s always going to be a little bit interesting your first time out on the court. A little pre-match jitters but I thought I did a good job,” Vandeweghe said following her win.
“I felt a few pressure situations.”
Regarded as one of the strongest doubles pairing in this year’s tournament due them both previously winning grand slam titles in the discipline, Sock and Vandeweghe sealed the whitewash with a 2-4, 4-2, 4-1, triumph in the mixed doubles.
Sunday’s clash between America and the Czech Republic did at one point strike a sobering moment when 25-year-old Vandeweghe spoke about Petra Kvitova’s absence. The two-time Wimbledon champion was set to play in the tournament for the Czech team before withdrawing due to a foot injury. Hours after that withdrawal, her left hand was seriously injured after she was attacked with a knife in her apartment. Kvitova is set to be sidelined from the tour for at least six months following the incident.
“It’s very sad news for that to happen to anyone, not only in the tennis community, but just anyone in general,” She said. “It really cuts close to home – someone you see on a daily basis when you’re at tournaments and things like that.”
The Czech Republic will play Australia in their next match on Tuesday.
