By IANS
Perth : Sania Mirza lost her singles match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic as India went down 1-2 in their final league match of the Hopman Cup at the Burswood Dome here Thursday.
Sania lost the first set 2-6, but came back in the second to win it 6-4 and level the match. But with a back ailment, she needed some help from the physio on the court. She went down in the third set 3-6 and lost the match in 110 minutes. That put India 0-1 down.
In the men’s singles, Tomas Berdych beat Rohan Bopanna 6-4, 6-0 in just 58 minutes to wrap up the tie with an unbeatable 2-0 lead.
The Indians however kept their unbeaten record in doubles with 6-3, 6-2 win over Safarova and Berdych in just over an hour.
In another match, Serena Williams beat Australian Alicia Molik 6-2, 7-6 (9-7) to steer United States into their ninth Hopman Cup final. Serena’s performance made it impossible for the hosts to reach the final by eliminating the possibility of a 3-0 Australian sweep.
The US owns four titles at the eight-nation team event, including one from Williams and James Blake in 2003.
Williams said she remains motivated by the diamond-studded tennis balls given to each of the trophy winning players. The American said her serve made the difference against Molik.
“My serve was working really well, I’m so proud of it. It’s really exciting, I hope I can keep serving like this over the next weeks (of the Australian Open)”
Williams won in 85 minutes, breaking Molik twice in the first set and winning after the Australian saved a first match point in the concluding game.
In the men’s singles Mardy Fish beat Peter Luczak 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (12/10) and then Serena and Fish beat Molik and Luczak 6-2, 6-3 to complete the sweep.