India qualify for the main Hopman Cup at Perth

Hosts win the inaugural Asian Hopman Cup with Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna ensuring a 3-0 verdict over Chinese Taipei

India scored an impressive victory over Chinese Taipei in the final of the Asian Hopman Cup tournament here on Sunday to ensure a berth in the main tournament. Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna starred in a 3-0 win as India became the first team to qualify for the Hopman Cup under a new system that reserves a berth for an Asian team.

India also earned 20,000 dollars for their win to add to an assured 50,000 dollars for participating in the main tournament in Perth, Australia, next January.

Local star Mirza regaled the packed stadium with a fluent game that saw her win 6-2 6-4 against 316th-ranked I Hsuan Hwang. Mirza, ranked 67, breezed through the first set by breaking her opponent’s serve in the fifth and seventh games. But the 20-year-old had to work harder in the second set as she once held serve after four deuces and on another occasion after three.

“I tried to finish some points early as I had a slight fever yesterday and knew that longer rallies would be to my detriment,” said Mirza, who is preparing for next month’s Asian Games in Doha. “It has been good to get some matches before the Asian Games. But it will be much tougher in Doha,” said Mirza.

Bopanna, ranked 259, excelled with his serves to prevail 6-3 6-4 over 310th-ranked Ti Chen 6-3 6-4. The 26-year-old fired six aces in each set and also returned serves well, once breaking serve at love in the second set.

“He was under pressure as my first serves started getting in so early,” said Bopanna. Bopanna too felt the matches were good preparation for the Asiad. “Winning three matches so close to the Asian Games are definitely a morale-booster,” said Bopanna, who replaced an injured Leander Paes in this tournament.

Mirza and Bopanna later ensured that India did not drop a set in the tournament as their opponents conceded the inconsequential mixed doubles after losing the first set 6-1.  The victory earned India a wildcard into the Hopman Cup in Perth where they will compete in Group B with Spain, Czech Republic and Croatia. Group A comprises Germany, United States, Australia and Russia.