France, Belgium win at Hopman Cup
PERTH, Australia -- France and Belgium were the winners in Monday's play at tennis' Hopman Cup mixed event.
Amelie Mauresmo and Fabrice Santoro teamed up to beat Anastasia Myskina and Marat Safin to claim a 2-1 win for France over Russia in Group A.
Belgian pair Kim Clijsters and Xavier Malisse overcame Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova and Karol Kucera 3-0.
Russian disappointment was tempered by Safin's return to winning form in his singles clash with Santoro.
The former U.S. Open champion picked up his first competitive victory in nine months, 6-3 6-3, having missed most of last season with a wrist injury.
"It feels great to be back," said Safin, who has slipped to No. 77 in the world.
"I am happy. I mean, playing Fabrice is not so nice for me... he was leading 7-1 in matches we'd played, so I am happy to be back and to win."
Safin's efforts were undone by Myskina's 6-2 7-6 loss to Amelie Mauresmo, and Mauresmo and Santoro then triumphed 6-3 6-4 in the mixed doubles.
World No. 2 Clijsters set Belgium on course for victory with a 6-1 6-2 rout of Hantuchova.
"That felt really good, I didn't think I would start the year like this," said Clijsters.
"I have been good in practice but not like that."
Malisse beat Kucera 6-2 1-6 6-1 to wrap up the win and the Belgian pair then won 6-2 6-4 in the doubles.
