Angelique Kerber of team Germany beat Ashleigh Barty of Australia at the Hopman Cup on Friday evening in Perth, Australia. Barty had chances to break, but the world no. 2 proved to be too difficult for her.
At 3-3 in the first set, Kerber was the first to break serve to lead 4-3. In the next game, a double fault from Kerber brought up a break back point for Barty, but Kerber was able to save it, and then saved the game to lead 5-3 with a thumping forehand down the line. At 5-4, Kerber had the chance to serve out the set, which she successfully did, therefore winning the first set 6-4.
In set two, the German broke to lead 2-1. The next game was a long one, lasting 11 minutes, 10 seconds, and despite four break points for the Australian, Kerber was able to hold serve to consolidate her prior break. The following games remained on serve, giving Kerber the opportunity to serve for the match at 5-4. The German wins the match 6-4, 6-4.
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Photo: Angelique Kerber of Germany celebrates winning a set in the women’s singles match against Ash Barty of Australia during day seven of the 2019 Hopman Cup at Perth Arena on January 04, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
The defeat of Barty placed pressure on her teammate, Matt Ebden to beat Kerber’s partner, Alexander Zverev, in order to keep the Australian’s Hopman cup dream alive. However, the strength of the German was too much for Ebden, with Zverev winning the match 6-4, 6-3.
Zverev broke serve at 1-1 and consolidated, to lead 3-1. He then got two set points on the Ebden serve at 4-5, but both were saved by the world no. 46. Zverev then successfully served for the set in the next game, taking the first set 6-4.
The German once again broke and consolidated to lead 3-1 in the second set. Zverev then got two more break points in the next game, but Ebden saved them both. At 4-2, Zverev in the lead and Ebden serving, a ball was called out late from the Ebden racquet, and the world no. 4 was given the option to replay the point, but he chose to just give it to Ebden. After double faults from Ebden, Zverev had three match points at 5-3, but one was all he needed to win the set 6-3.
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Photo: Alexander Zverev of Germany shakes hands with Matt Ebden of Australia after winning his singles match during day seven of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 04, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
In the mixed doubles match of Germany vs Australia, it was the Australians who won the fast4 format 4-0, 4-3(1), but the Germans already won the tie in the singles matches.
The Australians had a good week in Perth, playing in front of a home crowd, but the Germans were able to out play them on the night, securing their place in the final against Switzerland. The final on Saturday evening will be a repeat of last year’s final, with a four players being the same. Belinda Bencic and Roger Federer of team Switzerland are hoping to claim the Hopman Cup title for a second consecutive year, but the Germans are hoping for revenge as they play for the country’s first title in 24 years when Boris Becker and Anke Huber lifted the trophy
.The final will be live on Channel 9 from 7pm AEDT.
