Cash Adds Extra Role to Being Vip Guest
6/01/2010
AUSTRALIAN tennis great Pat Cash didn’t intend on playing tennis on his return to the Hyundai Hopman Cup as this year’s VIP Guest, but he did just that as he partnered Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the mixed doubles last night against Spain’s Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Tommy Robredo.
Cash’s returned to Perth as VIP Guest after he played at Hopman Cup I and III, and that entailed speaking at the Topspin Club on Friday night, stints in the commentary box with ABC TV and taking in all of the action, but it took another twist after Victor Hanescu’s injury last night.
The Romanian was unable to finish his singles match with Tommy Robredo or take part in the mixed doubles, so who better to step up to the plate than the 1987 Wimbledon champion.
It has been a big few months for the 19-year-old Romanian. Cirstea met her idol Steffi Graf in Las Vegas last year and even hit with her and on several occasions with Graf’s husband Andre Agassi.
Add Cash to those names and her learning experience couldn’t be better. While Cash and Cirstea lost the hit out on the Burswood Dome, it was an enjoyable way to end the evening for those on and off the court. The Spaniards won eight games to four.
Cash also has the credentials to comment on this year’s Hopman Cup given he partnered Hana Mandlikova to make the Final at the first tournament and then played with Liz Smylie in 1991. He says this year’s Hyundai Hopman Cup is one of the closest he has seen, unable to pick a winner.
“There’s been some really tight matches and Spain pulled off an upset, or a minor upset I suppose, they played fantastic,” Cash said.
The mixed doubles has been the decider in three of the Ties and has been difficult for the players to get used to as most did not have time to train together. The players have been enjoying the mixed doubles with some of them choosing this tournament because of the extra match.
Russian star Elena Dementieva is excited to be playing in this tournament, one she watches when in Australia.
“I really like the format when playing the singles and the mixed doubles, so it’s a great way to start the season to represent your country,” Dementieva said.
Cash said the tournament was still anyone’s to win as some of the star players had shock losses in their singles, including Sam Stosur and Dementieva.
“You know if you’re not ready in this competition you can see some upsets,” Cash said.
However he did say drawcard player Andy Murray would do well.
“I expect him to do well. He’s very good at going through opponents,” Cash said.
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