In the repeat of 2018 final, Switzerland has defeated Germany 2-1 and defended the Hopman Cup crown in what might be the last edition of this great team event that has been on for 31 years. After an impressive win for Roger Federer over Alexander Zverev, Angelique Kerber managed to level the overall score following a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6 win over Belinda Bencic in an hour and 29 minutes after one of the best singles matches of the entire week. Both players had more winners than unforced errors but Kerber prevailed in both sets to score the win in straight sets.
The German had to play against eight break points, saving five of those to at least limit the damage and wait for a chance on the return, taking 45% of the points on Belinda's serve and breaking the young Swiss four times from as many opportunities to cross the finish line and keep Germany in contention for the overall win, just like she did a year ago.
Bencic fired a forehand long to lose serve in the opening game and Kerber moved 3-0 up in just seven minutes after breaking Belinda at love in game three. The Swiss pulled one break back with a forehand winner in the following game and she looked much better now, creating three break points in game six that could have put her on the positive side of the scoreboard.
Instead of that, Angelique saved them all to stay ahead and she closed the opener with a hold at love in game 10 thanks to a service winner after 35 minutes of play. Just like in the opening set, Kerber played better in the initial games, breaking Bencic at 15 in the first game when the Swiss netted a backhand and they both served well in the next eight games, leaving the German to serve for the win at 5-4.
Fighting for every point, Belinda earned three break points and she converted the last one to pull the break back and level the score at 5-5 before she got broken again in the next game, allowing Kerber to serve for the triumph once again.
That wasn't enough for the German to seal the deal, suffering another break to send the set into a tie break where she opened a 6-4 lead after forcing an error from Belinda. The Swiss bounced back, repelling both break points to level the score at 6-6 and come two points away from securing the title for Switzerland.
Still, Kerber earned another mini-break and she delivered the win with a backhand down the line winner for an 8-6 and the deciding mixed doubles match. There, the Swiss team secured a 4-0, 1-4, 4-3 win in an hour and three minutes to emerge as winners and defend their Hopman Cup crown after eight straight wins in Perth! Roger and Belinda made the best possible start, breaking both Zverev and Kerber to race towards the first set before the Germans bounced back, scoring two breaks and securing the set after a return winner from Kerber on Roger's serve in game five to stay in contention for the title.
Alexander was far from his best during the entire day and he opened the third set with a double fault that cost Germans the break, saving a couple of break points in game three to avoid an even bigger disaster. Roger served for the tite at 3-2 but he got broken at 15 to keep the rivals alive, setting up the deciding tie break that would determine the champions! After a great battle, Federer and Bencic prevailed 5-4 in the championhip point for the best possible way to end this thrilling tie and the tournament.
Switzerland vs Germany 2-1
Angelique Kerber (GER) vs Belinda Bencic (SUI) 6-4 7-6(6) |
Belinda Bencic / Roger Federer (SUI) vs Angelique Kerber / Alexander Zverev (GER) 4-0 1-4 4-3(4) |
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