ZCZC
BSP-17
TENNIS-GER-FRA-HOPMAN
Zverev, Kerber put Germany on track for Hopman final
PERTH, Australia, Jan 2, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Alexander Zverev and Angelique
Kerber steered Germany closer to a second successive Hopman Cup final after
winning their singles matches against lower-ranked French opponents in Perth
Wednesday.
The German top 10 duo, beaten in last year’s final of the mixed teams
tournament by Swiss duo Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic, made it two wins
from as many group outings, beating France 2-1.
Kerber had to come from a set down to beat feisty Alize Cornet, while
Zverev squandered a second-set match point before defeating Lucas Pouille in
three sets.
In the mixed doubles, both sides took a very relaxed attitude to the dead
rubber match and the French gained some consolation with a straight sets 4-3,
4-3 win.
Ranked second in the world, Kerber served for the first set in her singles
match against the 45th-ranked Cornet, but then dropped three successive games
as the Frenchwoman claimed the set.
However, Kerber settled and claimed the next two sets to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
in just over two hours and maintain her perfect singles record in Perth, with
six wins from as many outings.
Kerber said Cornet was always a tricky opponent.
“She is a fighter,” Kerber said.
“I had my chances in the first set, but she was playing good then and I
missed a few balls.
“I was trying to find my rhythm in the second set, trying to still keep
going and then the third set I think it was just two or three points that
decided it.”
Ranked fourth in the world, Zverev started well against the 32nd-ranked
Pouille and took the first set comfortably on the back of a service break in
the eighth game.
However, the match tightened up in the second set, with both players
holding set points.
Zverev had a match point during the second set tie-break, while it wasn’t
until his sixth set point that Pouille levelled the match.
The pair traded service breaks early in the third set, but Zverev gained a
second break for a 4-2 lead when the Frenchman double faulted and that sealed
Pouille’s fate.
“Lucas fought well and played very well in the important moments
sometimes,” Zverev said, after winning 6-3, 6-7, 6-2.
“He is a very tough opponent.
“I just hope to keep going with Angie and seeing how far we can go.”
Unbeaten in their two group outings, the Germans will be guaranteed a spot
in Saturday’s decider if they beat Australia on Friday.
France are out of contention after losing both their ties.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1455 hrs