France will play the United States in the final of the Hopman Cup after edging their Group A decider against top seeds Switzerland in Perth.
Both teams had won their opening two ties earlier in the week and, a fter splitting the singles matches, French pair Richard Gasquet and Kristina Mladenovic made light work of the mixed doubles, sealing a 4-2 4-2 success under the FAST4 format in just over half an hour.
Switzerland looked the more likely victors earlier in the day when 17-time grand slam winner Roger Federer hit 11 aces during a 56-minute 6-1 6-4 defeat of Gasquet.
But Mladenovic then beat Belinda Bencic 6-4 2-6 6-3 in the women's singles to level and set up the winner-takes-all doubles match in which France prevailed to progress to Saturday's final against American duo Jack Sock and Coco Vandeweghe.
In the other Group A match at Perth Arena on Friday, Germany clinched a 2-1 victory over winless Great Britain.
Because of earlier results in the tournament, the meeting had become a dead rubber with only pride at stake.
Heather Watson gave Britain a perfect start with a 6-2 7-6 (7-3) win over Andrea Petkovic, but Alexander Zverev then defeated Dan Evans 6-4 6-3, before Germany took the doubles decider 4-2 4-2.
Source: PA
