Hopman Cup: India beat Czech Republic

Perth:

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna have produced the 3rd and perhaps the biggest shock yet at the 19th Hopman Cup on Sunday. They inspired India to a 2-1 victory over the 3rd seeds Czech Republic in Perth, Australia. India, making their debut appearance in the 8-nation event, were off to a perfect start in their Group B encounter. Twenty-five year-old Sania Mirza, the silver medallist from the recent Asian Games in Doha, took less than an hour to beat Czech teenager Lucie Safarova 6-2, 6-2 in the opening singles match. However, world number 15 Tomas Berdych then made light work of Mirza's team mate, 26 year-old Rohan Bopanna. The Czech No 1 took just 46 minutes to beat Bopanna 6-2, 6-2 and level the tie at one match all. But the Indian pair then rose to the occasion in deciding mixed doubles. Despite losing a lead of a set and a break, they won 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 to upset Czech Republic by 2-1.