Sports
Elise Mertens beat Daria Gavrilova while David Goffin won against Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Updated : Jan 03, 2018, 10:29 PM IST
Elise Mertens fended off Daria Gavrilova while David Goffin blitzed his way past Thanasi Kokkinakis as Belgium secured a 3-0 victory over Australia in the Hopman Cup on Wednesday.
Mertens fought back from a set down to outlast Gavrilova 2-6 6-4 6-2 in a two-hour battle at the Perth Arena to help Belgium keep their hopes of reaching Saturday's final alive.
Gavrilova broke Mertens early in the match and clinched the opening set with ease. She continued to attack her rival in the second set but world number 36 Mertens saved a break point and changed her gameplan to counter the Australian.
"I started to be more aggressive, stepped up to the baseline and came to the net more," Mertens said. "I made her play more defensive, so I'm happy with my game in the end.
"I've worked a lot on my offence. Tennis at the top is so aggressive, so direct, that's the style I want to play."
Mertens reeled off three games in a row to level the contest at one set all and used the momentum to prevail in the decider.
Goffin, who beat world number four Alexander Zverev in his opening match, struck 27 winners in his 6-4 6-2 victory over Kokkinakis to clinch the tie. Belgium then won the mixed doubles dead rubber.
"I'm feeling so well on the court since I arrived here in Australia," Goffin said. "I'm playing really well, I've won two good matches with a high level, so I'm very happy how I've started the year."
Goffin and Mertens then combined to win a 4-3 2-4 4-1 win in the mixed doubles.
Belgium can reach the final if they beat Canada in their next match and Australia fail to better their result against Germany.
Earlier, Angelique Kerber beat Eugenie Bouchard 6-1 6-3 while Alexander Zverev defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-4 6-2 as Germany sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Canada.
Here are the highlights of the mixed doubles game:
How about this for a winner from @elise_mertens! #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/BYiIEoV0D5
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 3, 2018
@David__Goffin and @elise_mertens keeping their strategies safe in this mixed doubles clash. #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/wnj3IzLPUE
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 3, 2018
"One of the best smashes in the game. I'm a big fan." - @AliciaMolik on @David__Goffin. #HopmanCup #7Tennis pic.twitter.com/kYMc77j3cv
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 3, 2018
A headed @TKokkinakis' way courtesy of @elise_mertens!
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 3, 2018
#HopmanCup #7Tennis pic.twitter.com/FE0Xpdbxce
Got him! Great passing shot @TKokkinakis.
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 3, 2018
Aussies are up a break in the 2nd set. Live on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/6WUEjrxmQB
What is the degree of difficulty on this volley!? @David__Goffin can do no wrong right now. #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/5hs5aNewIL
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 3, 2018
Amazing defence from but is on the board first!
— #7TENNIS (@7tennis) January 3, 2018
Watch LIVE on the #7Tennis app: https://t.co/rHeId6I4CQ pic.twitter.com/gNPbdxRpkD