Serena leads US charge

Women's world number one Serena Williams and partner James Blake spearheaded the United States to a 3-0 victory over Spain in a Hopman Cup t...

Women8217;s world number one Serena Williams and partner James Blake spearheaded the United States to a 3-0 victory over Spain in a Hopman Cup tie here today.

Williams began the new year in dazzling fashion, breezing to a straight sets win over Virginia Ruano Pascual, 6-3, 6-3.

Blake, ranked 28th, gave the US an unbeatable 2-0 lead when he outclassed Tommy Robredo 30th 6-3, 6-0 in just 50 minutes. Williams, 21, needed only 61 minutes to wrap up the women8217;s singles against her 65th-ranked opponent at Burswood Dome.

Williams and Blake then teamed up to win the mixed doubles, beating the Spaniards 6-1, 6-4.
The victory gave the us, top seeds in the mixed teams tournament, a strong chance of reaching Saturday8217;s final of the 560,000 contest, as well as ensuring Spain 8211; reigning competition champions 8211; will not defend their title The US had already trounced Uzbekistan8217;s Irodatulya Ganova and Oleg Ogorodov 3-0.

It was Spain8217;s second loss in the contest 8211; they went down 1-2 to Belgium8217;s Kim Clijsters and Xavier Malisse two days earlier.

Williams said that, despite her comfortable win, she was still far from her best. 8220;I have a long way to go,8221; she said. 8220;I will be working on my ground strokes and my serve. 8220;I am practising very well, and I don8217;t want to peak to so soon.8221;

After an even start in the men8217;s singles, Blake blitzed his opponent, winning nine games in a row. 8220;I would like every match in 2003 to be as good as that,8221; Blake said. 8220;I played really great. Tommy might not have played his best tennis, and I had to take advantage of that.

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8220;Now I have got a little bit of confidence.8221; Florida-based Williams began in impressive style, racing to a 3-0 lead in the opening set before repeated lapses of concentration 8211; which led to 13 unforced errors by Williams 8211; allowed Ruano Pascual to claw back to trail 4-3.

But Williams steadied and, helped by a controversial line call in her favour, snatched the set 6-3 in 28 minutes. Serving strongly and retrieving tenaciously, Williams wrapped up the second set despite Ruano Pascual8217;s spirited efforts.