Slovaks capture second Hopman Cup
PERTH, Australia (AFP)
Fighting performances by Daniela Hantuchova and Dominik Hrbaty have fired the
Slovak Republic to a second victory in the Hopman Cup international mixed teams
tournament.
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 opening match, both Hantuchova and Dulko struggled to gain the
ascendancy and the contest was marred by a rash of unforced errors from both
players.
Hantuchova started very badly, losing four straight games in the first set
before she finally won her only game of the set in the fifth.
She improved in the second set, breaking Dulko in the opening game but still
couldn't put her stamp on the match.
The Argentinian, who had not won a singles tie throughout the tournament,
broke back in the sixth game, dropped serve in the seventh, broke back in the
eigth then dropped again in the ninth.
"I just tried to hang in there and fought for every point and it paid off in
the end," Hantuchova said.
"I am really glad I got the first point for my country. I was thinking about
how badly I wanted to win this one because it means a lot to us and I really
wanted to give Dominik a good start to the match."
Hantuchova said she had started nervously because she was anxious to do well
for the team and her country, who first won the tournament in 1998.
"I had to work hard for every point because I didn't really feel like I had a
good rhythm and I had to really dig deep."
A confident Hrbaty apologised to his opponent for his patriotic spirit.
"I feel a little sorry for Guillermo because I get very excited always when I
play for my country. I love this competition," said Hrbaty.
"I feel a little bit sorry for him that I show so many emotions and I play
such good tennis for my country."
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