Kazakhstan Goes So Close
9/01/2010
By Chris Pike
KAZAKHSTAN only missed making the Final of Hyundai Hopman Cup XXII thanks to a losing Match Tie-break in the mixed doubles and both Yaroslava Shvedova and Andrey Golubev would love to be back again in 2011.
The Kazakhstan team was the last one confirmed to appear at this year’s tournament and booked their place by winning the Asian Hopman Cup, but they certainly earned their spot and were a little lucky in the end not to make the Final to face Spain.
The Kazaks started off by losing its opening Tie on Monday night to eventual Finalist Great Britain. Shvedova beat Laura Robson before Golubev went down to Andy Murray.
Britain eventually won the mixed doubles 12 points to 10 in the Match Tie-break and that ended up sending the Brits into the Final at Kazakhstan’s expense.
Shvedova and Golubev hit back by beating Russia 2-1 on Wednesday and Germany 2-0 on Friday and then needed Great Britain to lose to Russia also on Friday. If they did, the Kazaks would come out needing to beat Germany in the mixed doubles to make the Final, but the Brits held on.
The two Kazaks were watching on nervously praying for a Russian win, but still Shvedova was happy with the result of finishing second in Group B.
“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.”
Shvedova beat world No. 22 Sabine Lisicki from Germany 6-4, 7-6 in a terrific result on Friday before Golubev also beat Philipp Kohlschreiber. She was happy with the win despite still not feeling the best.
“I was fighting and then Andrey did good also, so we played very well. After I was sick I had been getting better every day and today I was feeling a lot better than the first day, but still it was tough for me,” she said.
“I was coughing a lot and she was playing good. She was serving unbelievable and returning so well, but I was fighting until the end. After we were hoping for Russia to win.”
Shvedova, like Golubev, moved from Russia to Kazakhstan to earn more opportunities representing her country and while that was with Fed Cup in mind, now the Hopman Cup is an added bonus and the 22-year-old world No. 51 would love to return.
“It’s our first year here and I hope that next year we will play again and make a better result,” she said.
“That depends on the organisation of the tournament, but I would like to come back.”
Golubev ended up having a good week in Perth as well after overcoming his loss to Murray in the opening Tie. He then beat Igor Andreev and Kohlschreiber, and enjoyed the week.
“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,” Golubev said.
“I think Philipp had some problem with physical condition, but I made my chances to bring the victory. It’s one of the big wins for me, so I’m happy to get many experiences from this tournament.”
He was watching with Shvedova cheering on Russia on Friday just two days after beating his former countrymen, but missing out on the Final doesn’t take away from how much he enjoyed his first appearance in Perth.
“I was watching with Slava, but it’s sport. It’s good this sensation, though, it’s better than if somebody wins 3-0 all the time and does it the easy way. It brings some emotions. They are our friends also, so we wanted them to win very much. We know that if they did we have the chance to go to the Final,” he said.
“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.
Golubev now heads to Melbourne to attempt to qualify for the Australian Open and he will take plenty out of his matches in Perth.
“I go straight to Melbourne because I have to play qualifiers and then I will play the normal ATP calendar,” he said.
“This three matches is a good preparation for Melbourne and I think I start playing in Melbourne, so this is perfect. I played one of my best matches, but in the last months I have been playing like this also. I will try to higher my ranking in the next tournaments.”
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