Agnieszka Radwanska and Jerzy Janowicz for Poland celebrate winning the Hopman Cup
winner as Poland claimed the Hopman Cup for the first time on
Saturday with a 2-1 defeat of the US.
The six-time champion Americans, with previous holder Serena Williams
and John Inner onside, were unable to stop Polish momentum from the
East European nation which lost the final a year ago to France.
Janowicz and WTA number five Agnieszka Radwanska secured the
concluding mixed doubles rubber, 7-5, 6-3.
Williams, world number one, had been bidding to become the first
woman to win the Hopman title three times while the US was in the
chase for a record seventh title at the mixed team event.
But the towering Janowicz and all-court strategist Radwanska, a
former Wimbledon finalist, managed to keep the final well in hand,
with Radwanska beating Williams 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1 in the singles
rubber.
It was the first win for Radwanska after losing eight times to
Williams and kicked-started the Polish dream.
The winner of three of four singles matches was thrilled to finally
get past her powerful opponent.
"These first matches at the beginning of the year are really tough,
I'm just really happy I played my best tennis today against Serena,"
Radwanska said.
"It doesn't matter what the score is, she's a great fighter. I'm just
very happy that I could come back in that second set and play a good
game in the third set.
"Everything was working today. When I had a break point I was really
going for it and took some risks. A few good shots in important
moments also helped.
"I feel very well this year, I'm healthy and ready to go. Here it's
always great to get a couple of good matches against top players.
"It's great preparation for the Australian Open."
Isner came back to level the tie by defeating fellow big server
Janowicz 7-6 (12-10), 6-4 before his side lost the final in the
deciding mixed rubber. The American saved five break points against
Janowicz in the opening singles set before finally putting the set
away in the tiebreaker.
"The match wasn't that pretty: he was serving very well, I was
serving very well. He just made a few mistakes at the end, he double
faulted at one of the set points and a drop shot on another one he
missed fortunate for me," said Isner.
"I was able to claw my way back into it and he gifted me the first
set at the end. I got up early in the second set and served.
"I just tried to stay calm and I would tell myself even if I lose
that first set I still like my chances out there. So I knew that
first set, whether I won I lost, It wasn't going to be the end of the
match."
In the mixed, a frustrated Williams smashed a racquet after missing a
shot late in the contest. Isner returned out to set up three match
points for Janowicz, who rained down a big serve which Williams
returned wide to lose.
The winners each earned the traditional Hopman miniature gold tennis
racquet encrusted with West Australian diamonds.
Poland are the 13th nation to win the title at the eight-nation
event
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