Spain Take Giant Leap Towards Final
5/01/2010
SPAIN’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Tommy Robredo are just one step away from Hyundai Hopman Cup XXII’s Final after another 3-0 win over Romania on Monday’s evening Session at the Burswood Dome.
Spain was coming off a 3-0 win over the United States’ Melanie Oudin and John Isner, and backed that up with Martinez Sanchez beating a slightly hobbled Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3 and then Robredo beat an even more hobbled Victor Hanescu 6-3 in the first set before the Romanian retired with an adductor injury.
That means that Spain has now claimed six rubbers from six to start this year’s Cup and in order to make the Final they will need to win just one of the three against Australia on Thursday.
Martinez Sanchez was coming off a strong 6-4, 6-3 win over Oudin on Sunday, and continued on that form against Cirstea to start the women’s singles strongly.
Both women wouldn’t give an inch in some hard fought early games, but the Spaniard veteran seized control moving from a 3-2 deficit to take out the set 6-4.
The 27-year-old world No. 26 then raced to a 2-0 lead in the second set, but Cirstea hit back to level it at 2-2. Martinez Sanchez still proved too good, though, winning four of the next five games to win the second set 6-3.
Martinez Sanchez is pleased with the way she’s started her 2010 in Perth by mixing up her game and is hopeful of helping Spain to a third Hopman Cup win.
“At least I won my two first matches of the year and these matches give you confidence,” Martinez Sanchez said.
“The goal of my game is to play different – sometimes lines, sometimes come to the net and sometimes play in the back of the court to change the game. We are on the way. I would like to have that ball of course.”
Robredo had a good win over giant American John Isner on Sunday and quickly went up 3-0 against Hanescu to start the men’s singles impressively. Even though Hanescu was troubled by his injury, Robredo still played well to win the first set 6-3.
Hanescu then retired at the end of the set also handing Spain the mixed doubles win via walkover.
With Hanescu unable to play the mixed, VIP Guest Pat Cash stepped in to partner Cirstea, and the Spanish team triumphed in a pro-set eight points to four.
The victory puts Spain in the box seat to be the Finalist from Group A, but Australia still has some hope of making it if Sam Stosur and Lleyton Hewitt beat them in all three rubbers on Thursday.
In Tuesday’s day Session, Stosur and Hewitt beat the USA’s Oudin and Isner in the singles, but lost the mixed doubles to leave them an uphill battle to make the Final. To make it, they will have to beat Spain 3-0 and do it comprehensively.
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