With temperatures soaring in Perth on the 28th, Agnieszka Radwanska pulled off an impressive victory for Poland over Italy's Flavia Pennetta 6-2 6-2 for the first match of the 2014 Hopman Cup. As the tribe of players, agents, officials and media pour through the Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne airports to escape the snow-covered northern hemisphere for an blast furnace of cloudless skies and kaleidoscope of colour in Australia - the wait for the 2014 season of tennis is over.
In perth, the Australian team of Bernard Tomic and Sam Stosur have lost both their opening ties against Italy and Canada.
Hopman Cup Predictions
Group A Winner: Poland
Group B Winner: France
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| Hopman Cup Results - 1/1/2014 |
Aussies Start Strong In Brisbane
In Brisbane, victories from Sam Groth, Ash Barty, Matt Ebden, Casey Dellaqua, Marinko Matoseivc and Lleyton Hewitt have put the Aussies in a commanding position for the second round of matches. Ash Barty (due to play Maria Sharapova in the second round) has withdrawn due to injury.
Ash Barty Press Conference
Sam Groth has followed countryman Lletyon Hewitt into the second round with a hard-fought 7-6(3) 7-6(2) victory over qualifier Ryan Harrison.
The fastest recorded server in the world hammered down 22 aces and won 90% of first serve points.
"I felt like I served really well" said Groth. "First match of the year and I've put a good off-season in and it's a good reward."
In other matches, Nicolas Mahut and Jeremy Chardy both posted wins to set-up an all-French second round clash. Top seed and world No. 6 Roger Feder made his first appearance on Pat Rafter Arena ahead of Wednesday's singles match against Jarkko Nieminen, combining with Mahut to win a doubles clash against Rojer and Tecau.
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| Roger Federer meets the locals in Brisbane |
2nd Round Predictions: Brisbane International:
Roger Federer [1] v Nieminen
Matosevic v Querrey
Anderson [4] v Groth
Mahut v Chardy [8]
Lopez [6] v Hewitt
Copil v Simon [3]
Dimitrov [5] v Cilic
Ebden v Nishikori [2]
Sam
Groth has followed countryman Lleyton Hewitt into the second round with
a hard-fought 7-6(3) 7-6(2) victory over qualifier Ryan Harrison. - See
more at:
http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2013/12/hewitt-and-groth-make-it-a-night-for-the-aussies#sthash.4SQD44mO.dpuf
Sam
Groth has followed countryman Lleyton Hewitt into the second round with
a hard-fought 7-6(3) 7-6(2) victory over qualifier Ryan Harrison.
Boom-server Groth hammered down 22 aces and won 90 per cent of first serves, offering his opponent just one break point in the 94-minute match.
“I felt like I served really well,” said Groth. “I felt that my serve was on and I was hitting my spots.”
“First match of the year and I’ve put a good off-season in and it’s a good reward.”
- See more at: http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2013/12/hewitt-and-groth-make-it-a-night-for-the-aussies#sthash.4SQD44mO.dpuf
Boom-server Groth hammered down 22 aces and won 90 per cent of first serves, offering his opponent just one break point in the 94-minute match.
“I felt like I served really well,” said Groth. “I felt that my serve was on and I was hitting my spots.”
“First match of the year and I’ve put a good off-season in and it’s a good reward.”
- See more at: http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2013/12/hewitt-and-groth-make-it-a-night-for-the-aussies#sthash.4SQD44mO.dpuf
Sam
Groth has followed countryman Lleyton Hewitt into the second round with
a hard-fought 7-6(3) 7-6(2) victory over qualifier Ryan Harrison.
Boom-server Groth hammered down 22 aces and won 90 per cent of first serves, offering his opponent just one break point in the 94-minute match.
“I felt like I served really well,” said Groth. “I felt that my serve was on and I was hitting my spots.”
“First match of the year and I’ve put a good off-season in and it’s a good reward.”
- See more at: http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2013/12/hewitt-and-groth-make-it-a-night-for-the-aussies#sthash.4SQD44mO.dpuf
Boom-server Groth hammered down 22 aces and won 90 per cent of first serves, offering his opponent just one break point in the 94-minute match.
“I felt like I served really well,” said Groth. “I felt that my serve was on and I was hitting my spots.”
“First match of the year and I’ve put a good off-season in and it’s a good reward.”
- See more at: http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2013/12/hewitt-and-groth-make-it-a-night-for-the-aussies#sthash.4SQD44mO.dpuf
Sam
Groth has followed countryman Lleyton Hewitt into the second round with
a hard-fought 7-6(3) 7-6(2) victory over qualifier Ryan Harrison.
Boom-server Groth hammered down 22 aces and won 90 per cent of first serves, offering his opponent just one break point in the 94-minute match.
“I felt like I served really well,” said Groth. “I felt that my serve was on and I was hitting my spots.”
“First match of the year and I’ve put a good off-season in and it’s a good reward.”
- See more at: http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2013/12/hewitt-and-groth-make-it-a-night-for-the-aussies#sthash.4SQD44mO.dpuf
Boom-server Groth hammered down 22 aces and won 90 per cent of first serves, offering his opponent just one break point in the 94-minute match.
“I felt like I served really well,” said Groth. “I felt that my serve was on and I was hitting my spots.”
“First match of the year and I’ve put a good off-season in and it’s a good reward.”
- See more at: http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2013/12/hewitt-and-groth-make-it-a-night-for-the-aussies#sthash.4SQD44mO.dpuf
