Davenport plays her part, helps US win Hopman Cup

Lindsay Davenport sent a clear warning to her Australian Open rivals here today when she steered the United States to its second consecutive Hopman Cup mixed teams tennis title with a 2-1 win over the Slovak Republic. Davenport was the only player in the tournament not to lose a set in her singles matches, dispatching Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-1 in the final to set up the victory, making the US the first team to win the title three times.

Karol Kucera then levelled the tie in the men’s singles, fending-off an athletic James Blake 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in a thrilling encounter before the American pair regrouped to take out the mixed doubles. It was a brave effort from the Slovaks who were only drafted into the final following the forced withdrawal of Belgium and Australia — both of which were ahead of them in their qualifying group.

Hantuchova had not won a set all week and was only awarded the match against Australian Alicia Molik when the latter was forced to withdraw with injury while leading by a set and 3-0. Despite her efforts, Davenport, who is coming back from injury, said she didn’t want to read too much into her form leading up to the Australian Open, the season’s first Grand Slam event, which starts in Melbourne on January 19.