Czech-mates pull level with India
Perth, Australia - Young hope Thomas Berdych pulled the Czech Republic level 1-1 with India after his girlfriend and teammate Lucie Safarova was beaten by Sania Mirza Sunday at the Hopman Cup mixed-team event. Berdych, who finished last season on 13th in the world after briefly touching the top 10, crushed unfancied Rohan Bopanna 6-2, 6-2. That was the identical scoreline by which 20-year-old Indian starlet Mirza hammered Czech Safarova. The tie was going down to the mixed doubles on New Year’s eve at the Burswood Dome. India qualified into
the eight-nation field after winning November’s first-ever Asian Hopman Cup at home. Mirza is a heroine at home with a career-best 31st ranking from 2006. She won her only WTA-level title in 2005 at Hyderabad, a feat which sparked celebrations around the usually cricket-mad nation of 1 billion. Mirza, currently 65th, was untroubled by number 42 Safarova, with the Indian converting on six of seven break point chances in the 54-minute rout. Mirza profited from 26 unforced errors from her opponent while producing 18 winners. Safarova managed to hold serve only once in the match. ‘We earned our place, and we want it very badly,’ said Mirza after her Hopman debut. ‘We will give our 100 percent. ‘We’re the underdogs, but I think that helps. Rohan is our surprise package and if it comes down to the mixed, I think we have a great shot.’ Berdych admitted to some nerves as he entered his first-ever mixed encounter. But he couldn’t overlook his overwhelming performance in the singles to get his team back into contention. ‘Today was really good, I felt great on the court. For a first match of the new season, I’m glad it went like this. ‘I don’t make goals, but I’m always trying my best,’ he said after 18 winners against Bopanna, the number 281. ‘I was tenth for a few weeks, and I’d like to try and return to that level.’ © 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur