Zverev, Kervber Keep Germany On Track For Hopman Cup Final
2nd January 2019
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
PERTH, Australia-
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."
Important moments
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.