Second Hopman Cup for Slovak Republic - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Second Hopman Cup for Slovak Republic

By James Dampney 08/01/2005 08:42:17 PM Comments (0)

Dominik Hrbaty and Daniela Hantuchova received support from the Slovak Republic prime minister before celebrating a "dream" victory at the 2005 Hopman Cup in Perth on Saturday.

The Slovaks defeated Argentina 3-0 in the final of the mixed teams tournament at the Burswood Dome.

Hantuchova opened the tie with a tight three-set win over Gisela Dulko, before Hrbaty crushed world No.7 Guillermo Coria 6-4 6-1 in just 58 minutes.

Coria then withdrew from the mixed doubles with a slight back strain, forcing a walkover.

Hrbaty and Hantuchova opened the tournament with a 2-1 loss to Australia but recovered to defeat the Netherlands 3-0 and the defending champion US 2-1 en route to Saturday's final.

World No.14 Hrbaty, coming off his best year on the ATP Tour, won all four of his singles matches without conceding a set.

Hantuchova couldn't produce quite the same consistency, losing to Australia's Alicia Molik, but she did overcome American Meghann Shaughnessy and Dutch teen Michaella Krajicek before Saturday's final.

The Slovak Republic has enjoyed considerable success in world tennis.

Hrbaty won the 2000 World Team Championship in Dusseldorf, Hantuchova joined with Janette Husarova to win the 2002 Fed Cup and Karol Kucera and Karina Habsudova won the Hopman Cup back in 1998.

Hrbaty revealed afterwards he had received text messages of support all week from Slovak prime minister Mikulas Dzurinda.

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