Seles keeps U.S. Hopman hopes alive

Monica Seles kept U.S. hopes of reaching the Hopman Cup final alive with a gutsy 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over world number five Kim Clijsters on Friday.

The top-seeded U.S. must beat Belgium 3-0 to reach Saturday's final at the Burswood Dome where they would face already-qualified Spain.

Anything less will see the Belgians through.

Jan-Michael Gambill tackles Xavier Malisse in the second singles before the nations clash in a mixed double contest.

Earlier France levelled in their match with Italy when Australian Open runner-up Arnaud Clement beat Davide Sanguinetti 6-3 7-5.

The result ruled Italy out of qualifying for the final.

Clement squared the tie after his partner Virginie Razzano had given Italy the lead when she retired after hurting her ankle at 1-1 against Francesca Schiavone.

Seles recovered from dropping the opening set against Clijsters to impose her powerful baseline game and slice the 18-year-old to pieces with her sharp angles.

A single break in the second set hauled her level and two breaks in the third sealed a victory which enraged Clijsters so much the Belgian uncharacteristically smashed her racket into the ground at the end of the match.

"Both Kim and I really wanted to win that match, it was important for both of us," Seles said afterwards.

"I love that court. Today I tried to be more aggressive on the court because it is a little bit slow and lots of balls come back."