Group B Wrap - Brits Just Pip Kazaks
8/01/2010
By Chris Pike
GROUP B came right down to being decided in the mixed doubles on Friday and in the end Great Britain just took it out ahead of Kazakhstan, with Russia not far behind and Germany the only nation not to record a Tie victory for the week.
Coming into the last day’s double-header, Britain’s Laura Robson and Andy Murray, Russia’s Elena Dementieva and Igor Andreev and Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova and Andrey Golubev all still had the chance to make the Final to play Spain.
And after the singles matches between the Brits and Russians, and Kazaks and Germans, that was still the case.
Britain won its first two Ties over Kazakhstan and Germany’s Sabine Lisicki and Philipp Kohlschreiber, and just needed to win the mixed doubles to qualify for the Final after sharing the singles matches with Dementieva and Andreev.
They looked on track to score the comfortable win to go up a set and 3-1 in the doubles, but then Russia fought back to force a Match Tie-break. Great Britain just prevailed while Kazakhstan’s Shvedova and Golubev watched on hoping for a Russian win in order to go back out to play for a Final spot themselves in their mixed doubles against Germany.
That didn’t happen, but the Kazaks’ were still one of the stories of the week. They came through the Asian Hopman Cup to qualify to play, and had a terrific week only losing to Britain via the Match Tie-break of the mixed doubles, and then recording wins over Russia and Germany.
Shvedova was watching on nervously with Golubev praying for a Russian win and while she was disappointed it didn’t come, she loved her week in Perth that saw her beat Robson and Lisicki, and win the mixed doubles with Golubev against Russia.
“I was very nervous because if Russia had of won and we won our mixed we would be in the Final, but because they lost we are finishing second in the Group,” Shvedova said.
“I’m very happy with this result to finish second in the Group after we qualified. We almost beat England when we played them and just lost after having a match point in the deciding Match Tie-break. It was very close and we had a match point that we didn’t make. Still it’s a very good result for our country and I think they were happy with us.”
Golubev arrived in Perth ranked 133 in the world, but played anything but like that. He lost to Murray, but gave the Brit his biggest challenge all week. He followed by beating Andreev 6-4, 6-3 and Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-1 to enjoy his first time at the Cup.
“I played very good for two matches and my first match I was no chance against Andy. The last two matches I felt in very good form on the court. I think Philipp had some problem with physical condition, but I made my chances to bring the victory,” Golubev said.
“This three matches is a good preparation for Melbourne and I think I start playing on Wednesday, so this is perfect. I have very enjoyed it. It is unbelievable atmosphere, very good hospitality and the people are lovely. I will like to be here for next year.”
The Russian team of Dementieva and Andreev beat Germany 3-0, but lost to Kazakhstan 1-2 and Great Britain 1-2 with Andreev losing his two singles matches and then the team unable to close out the mixed doubles.
Germany didn’t have a week to remember. Its week started brightly with Lisicki upsetting Dementieva, but they lost to Russia, Britain and Kazakhstan only claiming two match wins along the way.
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