Alexander Zverev and Sabine Lisicki combined to keep Germany’s hopes alives of reaching the final of the Hopman Cup by putting France to the sword and eliminating the team made up of Caroline Garcia and Kenny De Schepper from the competition.
It was by no means a straightforward victory however as it came all the way down to the super tiebreak in the mixed doubles. Before that, Zverev made light work of De Schepper with a 6-2, 6-2 win, as the 18 year old continues to show signs of a promising career in the waiting.
“I think I played well, Kenny played well as well but I was really solid from the baseline, I wasn’t missing a lot, and I played really aggressive”, claimed the German after victory.
France were thrown a lifeline when Caroline Garcia won her second match in two ties. The 22 year-old put on a stunning display to defeat Sabine Lisicki 6-2, 7-6, in a match that saw a combined total of 42 winners and 60 unforced errors. A tremendous spectacle of which Garcia said: “I’m happy with the way I played. There are always a lot of things to improve but it’s getting better. It’s always difficult to play against Sabine, she’s got a great serve and forehand, so you have to be ready on every single point”.
With the mixed doubles getting Germany over the line, they face Great Britain on Friday with their options of a final appearance still very much alive.
