Defending champions Switzerland field an unchanged pairing: Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic.
The RAC Arena in Perth has attracted eight strong mixed pairings for the 2019 event. Federer and Bencic seem serious in their mission to retain their title in what will probably be the final year of this format.
End of the Hopman Cup Era
The event will likely be taken over by the 2020 ATP World Team Cup. There will be fierce competition between some strong rivals, including Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev, Serena Williams, and Angelique Kerber. New Year’s Day sees Roger Federer & Serena Williams on opposite sides of the net in the mixed doubles. They will be partnered by Belinda Bencic and the raw talent of Francis Tiafoe, respectively.
Great Britain takes on Greece in the Opening Match
World #100 Katie Boulter teams up with the promising 23-year-old lefty, Cameron Norrie, to carry Britain’s hopes. Boulter will be keen to impress representing Britain, given the fact that the Federation Cup is being co-hosted in Bath, UK in February 2019. Boulter is currently British number 3, and Heather Watson knows that chasing down the world #93 will give her every chance of teaming up with Konta in the singles. She will be keen to hit her stride in the new season by impressing against some top players.
The Greece pairing of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari are definite dark horses in this year’s event. They will be focused – given the fact that Greece play the Hopman Cup for the 1st time since 2002. Katie Boulter leads the head-to-head 1-0 against Sakkari. This is courtesy of a victory in Tianjin last season. NextGen Finals champ Tsitsipas will fancy his chances against Norrie, who is 2-6 in his last four tournaments. It could all come down to the mixed doubles match. Boulter’s only mixed doubles match last season resulted in a first round Wimbledon loss. Her partner then was Luke Bambridge.
Maria Sakkari and Tsitsipas Could Well Excel in the Mixed Doubles
Sakkari has shared with YouTube viewers, the fact that Tsitsipas would be her ideal mixed doubles player. It could all come down to mixed doubles and the on-court chemistry needed to succeed in this sphere. USA and Switzerland complement the group (B). It’s likely that the losing country in the opening match, can consider themselves out of it.
Germany’s Zverev & Kerber can Consider Themselves Favourites for Group A
Dark horse host country combination Ashleigh Barty and Matt Ebden can count on the extra player that is home support. They will need this when facing Germany (Alexander Zverev/Angelique Kerber) – many people’s favourites for the Hopman Cup. French
pairing of Lucas Pouille and Alice Cornet have a bit to find on the form book. In order to trouble them, David Ferrer and Garbine Muguruza of Spain need to find form quickly.
Fans will be Excited at Prospect of a Switzerland v Germany Final
Roger Federer could have a shot at revenge over his ATP Tour Finals semifinal defeat to Alexander Zverev. This would happen only in the final, as Switzerland and Germany can only meet then. It would also give Kerber the chance to eat into the 1-4 head-to-head deficit held over her by Belinda Bencic. This is far from certain though. Don’t discount USA, Greece or admittedly, less likely, Britain from upsetting the applecart along the way.
Both of the Germany and Switzerland pairing have mixed doubles experience together, from last year’s Hopman Cup. This is a definite advantage.
The Hopman Cup runs from December 29th, 2018 until January 5th, 2019.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
