Substitute helps US to Hopman Cup win over India

PERTH (Australia)—An untimely bout of cramp for Sania Mirza cost India any chance of a win against the second-seeded United States in the opening tie of the mixed teams Hopman Cup.
The United States won the tie 2-1, with Meghann Shaughnessy and Mardy Fish winning their respective singles matches, before Mirza and Rohan Bopanna claimed the mixed doubles rubber.
With American superstar Serena Williams missing the tie due to illness, Mirza was expected to beat substitute Shaughnessy and looked on target to do so when she was up a break and leading 3-1 in the deciding third set.
It was the American who appeared to be wilting in the Perth heat, but Mirza then suffered cramp in her right leg and her game dropped right away, losing the last five games to hand Shaughnessy the win 6-3 4-6 6-3 and the USA an unexpected 1-0 lead. It was Shaughnessy’s third win in four meetings against Mirza.
Fish then secured the tie for the Americans with a convincing 6-3 6-4 win over Bopanna in the men’s singles. In the mixed doubles, the Indians made it four wins from as many doubles outings here, winning 6-4 6-4.
Losing the rubber was disappointing for India, who were the surprise packet of the previous Hopman Cup and almost reached the final on the back of their doubles skill and Mirza’s impressive singles game.
Mirza, who is ranked 21 places above Shaughnessy at 31, was generally happy with her form but said the heat affected her in the final set.
“I was cramping at the end of the second set already,” she said. “It started in my hamstring and by the end it was all over my toes and I couldn’t really reach up for my serve. It has been a while since I played a match and it was tough, but I am happy with the way I played.”
Shaughnessy said she was pleased to warm up for 2008 with a well-earned win, saying: “I feel like I had a couple of matches out there.” Fish had few problems with Bopanna, who is ranked 223 places below the American, and paid tribute to Shaughnessy’s effort in filling in for Williams at short notice and conjuring an unexpected win. He said: “She stuck through it and fought really hard and that is great testament to her.”
India’s next tie is against Australia on Tuesday, while the United States face the Czech Republic on Monday.—Agencies