Hopman Cup: Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic complete perfect day in Perth
After a great campaign she had at Hopman Cup 12 months ago, Belinda Bencic has made the winning start in 2019 as well, ousting Katie Boulter 6-2 7-6 to secure the overall win for Switzerland over Great Britain and the best possible start for the defending champions. Belinda played better on both the first and second serve and she saved three out of four break points to keep the pressure on the 22-year-old rival all the time. Boulter struggled on the second ser and she had to play against nine break points, suffering three breaks and hitting the exit door despite a solid effort in set number two.
Bencic drew first blood in the third game after a forehand winner following a well-constructed attack and she fends off a couple of break points in the following game to move 3-1 up. Boulter was broken again in game seven and Belinda grabbed another baseline rally in the next game to seal the opener with a backhand winner after 39 minutes. The Swiss saved a break point in the second game of the second set and she moved 3-2 up when Katie sent a forehand long in game five, moving closer and closer to the finish line.
Ready to fight for every point, Boulter broke back in the next game when Bencic sprayed a backhand error and she repelled three break points at 4-4 to remain on the positive side of the scoreboard before the tie break. Still, Belinda was the only player in the breaker, winning it 7-0 and closing the match with an ace to send Switzerland over the finish line before the much expected clash against the USA on January 1.
In the mixed doubles match that carried no importance in terms of the overall result, Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic defeated Katie Boulter and Cameron Norrie 4-3 4-1 to wrap up the perfect day for Switzerland, awaiting that USA clash in great spirit as they target another Hopman Cup crown. Boulter saved all three break points on serve in the opening set and they led 4-3 in the tie break before Roger and Belinda won the last two points to steal the opener. The Swiss team served great in set number two as well and they broke Boulter in game four before Roger wrapped up the win with a smash in the following game.
Switzerland vs Great Britain 3-0
Belinda Bencic (SUI) vs Katie Boulter (GBR) 6-2 7-6(0) Belinda Bencic / Roger Federer (SUI) vs Katie Boulter / Cameron Norrie (GBR) 4-3(4) 4-1
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2EYD29g
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