Tennis news - Blow for Britain as Federer win over Norrie sets Swiss up for Hopman Cup victory

Updated 30/12/2018 at 14:42 GMT

After Saturday’s Hopman Cup heroics, Great Britain were brought down to earth as Cameron Norrie suffered a humbling at the hands of Roger Federer and Katie Boulter lost to Belinda Bencic on Sunday.

Roger Federer of Switzerland and Cameron Norrie of Great Britain

Image credit: Getty Images

Norrie and Boulter defeated Greece on the opening day of the tournament in Australia, with Norrie’s shock 7-6(8) 6-4 victory over world No. 15 Stefanos Tsitsipas paving the way for Britain’s victory.

Watch the Hopman Cup live on Eurosport Player

The result put Britain top of their group - also comprising Greece, Switzerland and United States - after the opening day of competition.

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Highlights: Federer beats Great Britain's Norrie with ease

Day two in Perth saw Britain pitted against the Swiss and Norrie could not replicate his heroics against the most decorated male player of all time.

Federer, looking to win a 21st Grand Slam in Melbourne when the Australian Open starts on January 14, pulled off a dazzling array of shots as he beat the world No. 91 in straight sets, 6-1 6-1.

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“It was very good. I came out of the blocks quick. I wasn’t missing any rhythm,” Federer said.

“I’m happy in all aspects of my game that things were working – foot work, offensive play, serve, return – it was all there. It was a great match for me.

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Britain’s hopes of securing a point against the defending champions were then extinguished when Boulter lost to Bencic, 6-2 7-6 to give Switzerland victory.

Highlights: Bencic beats Boulter in Hopman Cup

Norrie and Boulter then also lost the dead-rubber doubles match to their Swiss singles opponents 4-3 4-1.

In the day's other match, Germany whitewashed Spain 3-0 with Angelique Kerber and Alexander Zverev coming through tight tussles with Garbine Muguruza and David Ferrer respectively.

After the match, Zverev paid tribute to former world number three Ferrer, who will retire from the sport next year.

"All the credit is (to) David, coming back from a set down and break down," Zverev said.

"He is the greatest fighter, maybe, that we have ever seen in tennis. What he has done in tennis over the past 15 or 20 years has been absolutely amazing."