After the opening match win for Roger Federer over Frances Tiafoe, Switzerland and the USA played much tighter encounters in the rest of the tie, with Switzerland earning a 2-1 win to stay undefeated and continue their march towards the place in the final.
Serena Williams scored her second singles win at this year’s Hopman Cup, beating Belinda Bencic 4-6 6-4 6-3 in an hour and 40 minutes to level the overall score and set all eyes on the much expected mixed doubles clash. Belinda won one point more than Serena but she couldn’t do enough in the crucial points, suffering three breaks from as many chances and stealing Serena’s serve twice from five opportunities.
Serena made the best possible start, breaking at love in game two after a forehand error from Belinda and opening a 4-1 lead with commanding holds. Bencic broke back in the seventh game after a volley error from Serena and she was the player to beat in the rest of the set, breaking again at love in game nine and delivering the opener after a service winner in game 10, rattling off the last five games. Read more