Switzerland, led by a masterful Roger Federer, won the Hopman Cup, a mixed team competition, beating Germany 2-1 in the final, a victory that reinforces Federer’s favoritism for the Australian Open.
Federer gave the first point to Switzerland by winning 6-7 (4/7), 6-0 and 6-2 to the promising star Alexander Zverev, N.4 of the world with only 20 years. And then he gave the final point to his team in the mixed doubles with Belinda Bencic.
In between, the Germans provisionally equalized thanks to Angelique Kerber (21st in the world), who dominated Bencic (74th), 6-4, 6-1.
Switzerland had only won the Hopman Cup once, it was in December 2000, with… Roger Federer and Martina Hingis.
After all these years, I find it hard to believe that I am here again. I still remember, Martina wanted to win to receive the diamond balls (prize for the winner). It’s been 17 years since that… », declared Federer.
“I can say that she (Martina) helped me become the player I am today,” added the 36-year-old veteran Swiss tennis player.
In this tournament Federer defeated the Japanese Yuichi Sugita, the Russian Karen Khachanov, the American Jack Sock, and Zverev. Against the first three he did not concede a single set.
To reach the final in Perth, Switzerland had beaten Russia, Japan and the United States, without losing a single match. AFP
Federer’s Switzerland wins the Hopman Cup
