Germany Into Hopman
23/11/2006
2006 Australian Open semi-finalist Nicolas Kiefer and team
mate Martina Muller, ranked 34, have answered the call up
to replace Korea at this year’s Hyundai Hopman Cup. Korea
were forced out of the tournament yesterday after Yoon Jeong Cho injured herself
in a practice match. Germany will join USA, Australia and Russia in
Group A giving the Aussie combination of Alicia Molik and Mark Philippoussis
a tricky second match.
In further news, Kiefer is not the only late starter in Perth, due to the
introduction of Daylight Saving in Western Australia, all sessions at Hyundai
Hopman Cup will commence one hour later. Day Sessions will start
at 11.00am and Night Sessions 6.30pm with
the Friday night Final commencing at 6.00pm.
Germany will seamlessly replace Korea in the schedule so will face the defending
Champions USA in their first match on Saturday evening 30 December. Muller
will play 5 time Grand Slam Champion Venus Williams and Nicolas Kiefer will
face Taylor Dent. Their third match is against number one seeds Russia. There
are no other changes to the schedule.
Kiefer played Hopman Cup for the first time last year, winning matches against
Gaston Gaudio and Wayne Arthurs before taking his good form to Melbourne for
a career best Grand Slam semi-final appearance where he gallantly lost to
eventual champion Roger Federer in a four set match. Later in the year
he was a member of Germany’s team that made it to the final of the World
Team Cup.
24 year old Martina is the second ranked German player and is in career best
form, reaching the semi-finals in Budapest, finishing the year with a WTA
ranking of 34. She won 4 tournaments on the ITF circuit in 2006: Civitavechia
(Italy), Cagnes Sur Mer (France), Baden Baden (Germany) and Bordeaux (France).
Tickets for Hyundai Hopman Cup are now on sale at all Ticketek outlets.
Hyundai Hopman Cup XIX, to be held from 30 December 2006 to 5 January 2007,
is the Official Mixed Teams Competition of the ITF.
For media enquiries please contact Rosita Stangl on 08
9367 8884 or 0409 117 157. Back to current news.
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