Tennis news - Greece beat Switzerland in Hopman Cup as Roger Federer tastes defeat
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ByEurosport
Updated 03/01/2019 at 17:01 GMT
Two brilliant service returns from Maria Sakkari helped Greece over the line against Switzerland in the Hopman Cup on Thursday.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari of Greece celebrate winning their mixed doubles match against Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland during day six of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 03, 2019 in Perth, Australia
Image credit: Getty Images
Sakkari sealed victory for the Greek pairing with a stinging service return off Roger Federer to consign the Switzerland duo to their first loss in the event.
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Sakkari and Tsitsipas down Bencic and Federer
However, due to results earlier in the tournament Switzerland will still progress to the final.
Stefanos Tsitsipas lost the opening men's singles 6-7 6-7 to Roger Federer in the opening match of the tie on Thursday, but Maria Sakkari saw off Belinda Bencic 6-3 6-4 in the second singles encounter to tee up a doubles finale.
A tight encounter saw the Greek pair take the first set 4-3 (the Hopman Cup uses a shorter set format for the doubles).
But Federer and Bencic hit back in the second to ensure the tie went to one deciding set.
It looked like the favoured Swiss pair had the upper hand, but Sakkari continued her superb form with a string of excellent shots, culminating in a crunching return to spark jubilant and memorable celebrations.
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