Robredo inspires Spain to Hopman Cup victory
Tommy Robredo was the driving force as Spain came from behind to beat Britain 2-1 on Saturday to win the Hopman Cup for a third time.
Tommy Robredo was the driving force as Spain came from behind to beat Britain 2-1 on Saturday to win the Hopman Cup for a third time.
Fifteen-year-old Laura Robson stunned world number 26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-1, 7-6 to give Britain a surprise lead but Robedo upset world number four Andy Murray 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to leave the tie all square heading into the mixed doubles.
The Spaniards then saved three set points in the opening set of a dramatic match before going on to clinch the title with a 7-6, 7-5 victory.
Martinez Sanchez described Robredo as “the hero” but the modest world number 16 said it was a team effort.
“It was a great final,” he said. “Maria Jose said today I did a great job but here no one wins alone.”
For Robredo, it was his second Hopman Cup victory after partnering Arantxa Sanchez Vicario to the title in 2002, and the pair each took home a special diamond-encrusted tennis ball as a trophy.
Murray shoulders blame for defeat
Andy Murray feels he let playing partner Laura Robson down by not delivering victory for Britain over Spain.
“I’d like to thank my partner for playing with me,” Murray said. “I kind of let her down a bit, so I feel bad about that.”
Federer falls to Davydenko
London: Nikolay Davydenko proved his victory over Roger Federer last year was no fluke by beating the world No. 1 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday in Doha to reach the Qatar Open final. The Russian third seed, who beat the Swiss for the first time in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals in November, will face the world No. 2, Rafael Nadal, in Sunday’s final.
Wickmayer claims Auckland title
Promising Belgian tennis star Yanina Wickmayer underscored her potential by winning the Auckland Classic final here Saturday less than a month after a year-long ban was lifted, allowing her to play. The big-hitting Wickmayer, the world number 16, took just over an hour to trounce the 12th-ranked player and tournament top seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-3, 6-2.
Roddick to meet Stepanek in final
American Andy Roddick recovered from a slow start to beat Tomas Berdych 1-6 6-3 6-4 on Saturday and join defending champion Radek Stepanek in the Brisbame men’s singles final.
Maria rates Wimbledon higher
Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova rates the Wimbledon ahead of the French Open even though the Roland Garros title is the only major missing from her collection.