Australia challenge back on track
Date published :
05 Jan 2010 - 10:13:00
Top seeds Australia kept their hopes of reaching the Hopman Cup final alive with a 2-1 win over the United States in Perth.
The home pairing of Sam Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt wrapped up the tie with wins in their respective singles matches.
Stosur served a remarkable 14 aces to overpower teenager Melanie Oudin 6-2 6-4 before former world number one Hewitt overcame John Isner 6-1 7-5.
The Americans, who can no longer reach the final, earned some consolation in the mixed doubles which they won in a third-set tie-breaker 2-6 6-1 10-5.
Australia had needed to claim the tie to stay in the hunt for Saturday's final after they suffered a defeat in the opening match against Group A minnows Romania.
The winners of the two groups at the eight-nation tournament will reach the weekend final.
