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Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev win the Hopman Cup

The German team defeated Spain 3-0 and celebrated a start in Perth.

by Ulrike Weinrich
last edit: Dec 30, 2018, 01:14 pm

Wer gewinnt? Tippt jetzt!
Angelique Kerber gave the German team a 1-0 lead against Spain
© getty pictures
Angelique Kerber gave the German team a 1-0 lead against Spain

After Wimbledon winner Angelique Kerber had already shown himself in strong form in 6: 2, 3: 6, 6: 3 against Garbine Muguruza, Alexander Zverev made with a hard-won 6: 4, 4: 6, 7: 6 (7: 0) against veteran David Ferrer the success was perfect even before the mixed. The mixed doubles also went to "Team Germany" 4: 2, 4: 3.

The duo from France (Lucas Pouille / Alize Cornet) are waiting for Wednesday (January 2) for Kerber / Zverev, who only lost the final against Switzerland with Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic at the last Hopman Cup. The last opponent in Group A is Australia on January 4 (Matt Ebden / Ashleigh Barty).

The host had already won his game against "Team France" 2-1 on Saturday. The two group winners qualify for the final on January 5 in the mighty RAC Arena. In the parallel season, defending champions Switzerland, the USA, Greece and Great Britain face off.

"Angie" in a remarkable early form

Kerber, on the road for the first time with her new coach Rainer Schüttler, presented herself in a remarkable early form in her first season match (31 winners).

Again and again the 30-year-old took the initiative, was dangerous as usual on the defensive and was not irritated by some slight mistakes. Against the world rankings-18. Muguruza developed an exciting and sometimes high-class exchange of blows in the Australian summer that delighted the audience.

After 2:03 hours, number two of the WTA ranking changed their first match ball and then waved with relief in the wide circle. Kerber remains unbeaten at the Hopman Cup, the unofficial mixed World Cup (5-0 wins) - and also ended her losing streak against two-time major winner Muguruza after five defeats in a row.

"Angie" had not been able to defeat the Spaniard since 2015, whose team has recently included Kerber's former physiotherapist Cathrin Junker. "It's always difficult to play against another Grand Slam champion, but I'm really happy with how I played today," said Kerber.

Kerber remains unbeaten at the unofficial mixed World Cup

At the last edition of the tournament, the left-hander had already won her singles against Elise Mertens, Eugenie Bouchard, Daria Kasatkina and Bencic. It was the basis for a successful start to the season with the following tournament win in Sydney and reaching the semi-finals at the 2018 Australian Open.

Zverev had to fight hard against the 36-year-old Ferrer, who ended his career in the upcoming season. The veteran made life difficult for the ATP world champion with his powerful game. Zverev led with set and break, but Ferrer fought back. "He is one of the biggest fighters on the tour. What David has achieved over the past 10.15 years is insane," said the German after the game.

The transformed set ball by Ferrer is symptomatic: With a forehand winner along the line, his flagship stroke, he duped Zverev, who was not satisfied with his idea at this stage. "Sascha" furiously threw his racket on the floor at 4: 5. A little later he took the break and had to start in the third set.

There the decision was made in the tie-break, in which Zverev gave no more points. These days, the 21-year-old had left no doubt what he was all about in Perth: "We want to win this time."

by Ulrike Weinrich

Sunday
Dec 30, 2018, 08:03 am
last edit: Dec 30, 2018, 01:14 pm