Sportmaster International

Perth, Australia - Australia surprised top seed Russia while late entry France ambushed defending champion United States in Group A opening-day play Saturday at the Hopman Cup. Mark Philippoussis completed the perfect start for the hosts, who have played all 18 previous editions of the round-robin eight-nation event, but own just a single trophy from 1999 over Sweden. Two-time grand Slam finalist Philippoussis put his 114th ranking to the side as he won the last ten points on the way to a 6-4, 7-6 (7-0) victory over 22nd-ranked Dmitry Tursunov.

Alicia Molik started with an upset of world number 6 Nadia Petrova 6-2, 2-6, 6-2. France, a late replacement for Germany, got a first point as Tatiana Golovin beat Ashley Harkleroad 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 while Jerome Haehnel came through with a surprise victory over Mardy Fish to hand the French the victory, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3). ‘I was on holiday when I got the call to come and play,’ said Haehnel, whose fear of flying has kept his career anchored mainly in Europe. ‘But I did this for my country.’ Both Australians, meanwhile, are hoping for comeback seasons. The 25-year-old Molik was struck down in spring 2005 with an inner ear infection which laid her low that year and dulled a comeback attempt in 2006. Philippoussis began a long slide out of the Top 200 in early 2004 and spent 2006 grimly re-establishing himself with a grass title in the US over the summer but little else. Against Trusunov, Philippoussis used his huge serve for 15 aces en route to his first Hopman Cup match win since 2000. The Aussie admitted he got mad over a line call late in the second set and proceeded to get even. He saved a Tursunov set point with a second-serve ace clocked at 203 kph and swept an ensuing tiebreaker to ice the tie. ‘I came up with some big serves when I needed them to save that set points and take the win,’ said Philippoussis. ‘It’s a great start, I was looking forward to playing well and having fun,’ said the Australian. ‘I want to stay aggressive and work on my game.’ Molik, a former number 8 now ranked 165th and climbing, will play next in Hobart prior to the Australian Open, where she earned a wildcard. ‘It’s all about staying mentally tough regardless of the score. I need to stay focussed on what want to achieve. I let it slip and got distracted in the second set,’ said Molik. ‘When I was eighth in the world, I didn’t let that happen. I’m more eager and anxious now, but I’m definitely on the way back. I’m very happy with how it went today.’ ‘I’m re-starting my career, this is the start of something,’ said Molik, who has won 10 of 13 singles matches in five editions of Hopman Cup play. ‘It’s my intention go get back into the Top 10. Nadia gave me a good run, I was disappointed in the second set. But a quality opponent will come back stronger when she’s down,’ she said. © 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur