New season, new beginning - Page 3© Michael Cecilio
Page 3
Jan 10, 2001
ITF sanctioned event
2000 Champion: South Africa
2001 Champion: Switzerland
The 2001 Hopman Cup had arguably produced its best field in its 13 year history in Perth. With such drawcards as Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Kim Clijsters and Amanda Coetzer on the women’s side, the Perth fans got their money’s worth as they were treated to some riveting matches. While there was some heavy competition at the event, it was clear that Switzerland and USA were the teams to beat at this year’s Hopman Cup. Led by two strong players in Hingis and Seles, neither of whom dropped a match in singles or mixed doubles in round robin play, the week was met with eager anticipation for a showdown between the big guns of the tournament. Needless to say, it was the Swiss pitted against the Americans in the final, and while each team recorded a perfect 3-0 win-loss tie record in round robin, the Swiss as the top seeds were considered the favourites. Although Martina came into the final with a 12-2 win-loss record against Monica, their last match at the Chase Championships was an indication that their rivalry was going to be of a much more competitive nature and it certainly proved to be the case in the first rubber of the final. Martina came out running down a lot of Monica’s fierce drives and used all parts of the court to frustrate the former world #1 but Monica did have her chances to win that set and possibly the match. Leading 5-4 in the first set, she seemed to be in control with her punishing power baseline drives but seemed unable to put the last ball away in crucial stages as she tried to take more risks than usual. In the second set, games went with serve until 4-4 when Monica made a few too many unforced errors, giving Martina a perfect opportunity to serve for the match, which she did successfully. Switzerland had won the tie after Roger Federer defeated Jan-Michael Gambill in the second singles rubber and looked to be on the way to claiming a 3-0 drubbing over the USA team at 6-2 4-2 up. A loss of concentration by the Swiss afforded the USA an opportunity to claim four straight games to take the set and eked out a close tiebreaker to win a rubber for their country. FINAL
Switzerland d. USA 2-1
Martina HINGIS (SUI) d. Monica SELES (USA) 7-5 6-4
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