Martinez Sanchez Enjoys 'Unbelievable' Feeling
10/01/2010
By Chris Pike
MARIA Jose Martinez Sanchez had just one slip-up in an otherwise perfect week in Perth and the Spaniard doubles and singles supremo leaves Perth a Hyundai Hopman Cup champion.
The 27-year-old singles world No. 26 and doubles No. 6 had a superb week in Perth before coming into Saturday’s Final against Great Britain 15-year-old Laura Robson and losing.
After Tommy Robredo’s heroics to beat Andy Murray to keep Spain alive, Martinez Sanchez stepped up by playing tremendously in the mixed doubles to give Spain its third Hopman Cup victory.
Martinez Sanchez had a superb week on her first visit to Perth and beat Melanie Oudin, Sorana Cirstea and Sam Stosur all in straight sets, and had a good week in the mixed doubles.
To win and leave with a share of the winner’s cheque of $250,000 and with a Doris Brinkhaus diamond-encrusted tennis ball is more than she could have hoped to get out of the week.
“Well I think that it’s amazing,” Martinez Sanchez said.
“I’ve never felt the sensation after winning here. Tommy has but me, it’s the first time and it’s unbelievable, really.”
Martinez Sanchez was stunned in her women’s singles match in the Final by the 15-year-old Brit Robson, but even after losing she had full faith in Robredo that he could get over world No. 4 Murray.
“Well I think that she’s a great player, she played so good. Especially when she plays against one top player she’s plays really good,” he said.
“She had nothing to lose and when you play against a top player, if you have nothing to lose and you just play, it’s the best. I knew that it was difficult but Tommy is always fighting until the end. When he started to play more aggressive in the second set, I trusted him.”
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