Hopman Cup

[herios]

The tournament just started.
In the first match, Great Britain vs. Greece, a surprise: Norrie - Tsitsipas 7-6, 6-4.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Not a good start for Tsitsipas.
Sakkari got them back in the tie.

Just following scores.
They're not following fast4 rules in mixed this year?
Flashscore was showing 4-4 in the first.

 

[herios]

Not a good start for Tsitsipas.
Sakkari got them back in the tie.

Just following scores.
They're not following fast4 rules in mixed this year?
Flashscore was showing 4-4 in the first.

Yes, the mixed doubles us played here up to 4 games won instead of 6.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Fed dispatched Norrie (who defeated Tsitsipas earlier) in less than an hour with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-1. Very good omen (if you are superstitious) to win the first match of the season in such a one-sided manner. Hope, he will defend his AO. At the end of last year, he proved that he is capable of hanging with Novak even at this age. So, I am optimistic.

Also, Bencic won her match. Fed and Bencic won the mixed doubles to make it a clean sweep against GBR. Next up USA (Tiafoe and Serena).

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Like last year and the year before, Swiss team looks dominant. They may win again this year. Looks like Fed inspires Bencic to rise her level and they are unbeatable for as long as this tourney holds and Fed is coming. I think organiser'll have a very good incentive to keep it running next year, even in face of competing ATP team event, for the sake of having Fed.Fed's appearance alone is worth many millions, more than their financial commitment. Swiss dominance ensured as male field weakens due so silly ATP team distraction.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Actually, Swiss won only last year. The year before they did not win.

 

[herios]

Actually, Swiss won only last year. The year before they did not win.

As far as I am concerned, Germany is the favorite, over Switzerland.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

As far as I am concerned, Germany is the favorite, over Switzerland.

I agree that Germany is the favorite this year with Sasha and Kerbie in it. Even if Fed manages a win against Sasha, Kerbie will beat Bencic and the mixed doubles also will go the German way.

Anyway, German-Switzerland is the expected final. Anything other than that will be a shock.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

I agree that Germany is the favorite this year with Sasha and Kerbie in it. Even if Fed manages a win against Sasha, Kerbie will beat Bencic and the mixed doubles also will go the German way.

Anyway, German-Switzerland is the expected final. Anything other than that will be a shock.

So the final should be the repeat of last year.
https://hopmancup.com/history/history-timeline/
Swiss won last year so why is Ger the favourite now? Players didn;t change so what did IYO?

 

[herios]

So the final should be the repeat of last year.
https://hopmancup.com/history/history-timeline/
Swiss won last year so why is Ger the favourite now? Players didn;t change so what did IYO?

Kerber and Sasha are better than a year ago, while Roger is weaker.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

SUI defeats USA. As expected Serena beat Bencic, but in mixed doubles Fed and Bencic beat Tiafoe and Serena to clinch the victory for their team (needless to say Fed defeated Tiafoe earlier).

Next up for SUI is Perseus and Sakkari. It would be interesting, especially considering Perseus hit with Fed in Dubai during the break.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

According to the rules, it suffice for the Swiss to win just one match against Greece in order to clinch the final, which is highly likely.
Greece would have to win 3-0 to clinch. Even if they won 2-1, the final standing would be both teams 2-1 in big points, but Swiss 6-3 vs Greece 5-4 in matches.
The other match in that group GBR-USA is for nothing.

Your favourite Ger in group A is not out of the woods yet. Today's matches should clarify the situation a little bit therein.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Your favourite Ger in group A is not out of the woods yet. Today's matches should clarify the situation a little bit therein.

Not my favorite. But, whom I consider are the favorites.

Also, they are the #1 seeded team with a combined ranking of 6 (Kerbie -2 and Sasha-4), compared to SUI's combined ranking of 47.

 

[herios]

Norrie beats Tiafoe feeding him a bagel in the second set. Surprising result.

 

[britbox]

Norrie beats Tiafoe feeding him a bagel in the second set. Surprising result.

I'm not sold on Tiafoe... I like watching Norrie however - nice net game. Glad he pulled out the win.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Norrie beats Tiafoe feeding him a bagel in the second set. Surprising result.

I watched that tie. Tiafoe is simply in abominable form. He lost all his matches (including mixed), and Serena's winning all her matches didn't make any difference, because USA ended last in the group with 0-3 in big points. Thanks to Tiafoe. He played like a bad omen for his team. I saw his body language wasn't good: it seemed he was almost Kyrgios-like tanking at times. Given his disappointing result, we can even say his was a bad selection. To be honest, if they had selected Mike Bryan, he would no doubt win most doubles with Serena and the USA team standing would have been completely different.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Fed won with Tsi (surprisingly tough match I expected him to breeze through, certainly not shank couple of few BP chances as he did in the 2nd) so Swiss advance. But they keep playing the tie to the end. Fed understands his relationship with audience require that he plays whatever is scheduled to play, otherwise who knows, UNIQLO would even rescind the contract? Anyhoo, this year all teams appear to play everything (no dummy substitutes), which is kind and nice to the viewers. Contrast that to last year where almost every tie was marred by withdrawals. Even worse: compare that to 2015 when Poles (Aga & Jerzy) clinched the title. Poles've been in identical situation as Swiss today but after winning one match, they decided to give away the double match because they "felt tired" and wanted to "recover for the final". What a shame. They should have lost that final (against USA) as a penalty for the arrogant attitude, but they won.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Good sign for Fed. Won all his singles matches and that too all against youngsters. Next up for Fed is the WTF Champ.

 

[El Dude]

Why is Switzerland in the final when Greece beat them 2-1? I don't get the scoring.

 

[mrzz]

Why is Switzerland in the final when Greece beat them 2-1? I don't get the scoring.

Both ended 2-1. First tie-break rule is number of match wins, Switzerland had one more.