Date:07/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/07/stories/2009010761292100.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Slovakia ousts Australia

PERTH: Dominika Cibulkova and Dominik Hrbaty combined for a 2-1 win over Australia on Tuesday that moved Slovakia closer to a Hopman Cup final and ousted the host from contention.

After splitting the singles matches, Cibulkova and Hrbaty rallied to beat Casey Dellacqua and Lleyton Hewitt 6-7(5), 6-3, 10-4 in the deciding mixed doubles match.

It was the second upset in as many nights at the international mixed team tournament for the Slovaks, who beat the top-seeded United States 3-0 on Monday. Australia lost its opening match to Germany and cannot reach the final from Group A.

In Group B, Italy stayed in contention with a comeback 2-1 win over France. Russia, which opened with a 2-1 win over the Italians, is against Taiwan on Wednesday.

The results:

Group A: Slovakia 2 bt Australia 1 (Dominika Cibulkova bt Casey Dellacqua 7-5, 6-2; Dominik Hrbaty lost to Lleyton Hewitt 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-4; Cibulkova & Hrbaty bt Dellacqua & Hewitt 6-7(5), 6-3, 10-4).

Group B: Italy 2 bt France 1 (Flavia Pennetta lost to Alize Cornet 7-5, 6-2; Simone Bolelli bt Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-3; Pennetta & Bolelli bt Cornet & Simon 6-4, 7-6(2)). — Agencies