Spain score historic Hopman Cup win

Spain's Tommy Robredo and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario pulled off a supreme team performance to score a dramatic 2-1 victory over the top-seeded U.S. in the Hopman Cup final on Saturday.

The hard-fought victory in the decisive mixed doubles over Monica Seles and Jan-Michael Gambill saw Sanchez-Vicario become the first player to win the event twice after teaming up with brother Emilio to win it in 1990.

"Today it was just our day and we won it," Sanchez-Vicario said after receiving her prize of a diamond-encrusted tennis ball and A$120,000 ($62,140).

"I just want to thank Tommy. Thanks for playing with me? I know you have a long way to go in your career."

Seles, a runner-up with Gambill last year as well, had also been looking for a second Hopman Cup crown after winning in 1991 for her country of birth Yugoslavia.

Sanchez-Vicario said: "Congratulations and sorry to Monica and Jan-Michael.

"Hopefully as we say in Spain the third time is the lucky one for you."

But it had looked as though the Americans were destined to be the lucky ones this year when Seles beat Sanchez-Vicario in the opening singles match and Gambill held two match points in the second match against Robredo.

RECORD BOOKS

However, Robredo hit back for a famous 6-3 2-6 7-6 triumph and the Spaniards then beat Gambill and Seles 6-4 6-2 to rewrite the record books at Burswood Dome.

"It is amazing," 19-year-old Robredo said. "Thanks to Arantxa for playing with me? she is one of the greatest players ever in Spain and it is great to be here with her.

"I had a great time in my first year and, if you want, I will come back next year," he smiled.

Robredo was the hero of the day after fighting back against Gambill, who fired a forehand woefully wide on his first match point and double-faulted on his second in their singles match.

Gambill, ranked 21st in the world, had looked outclassed in the first set as the 30th-ranked Robredo ripped passing shots past him.

He was broken in the first and seventh games of the set and could find no answer to the relentless rallying of Robredo.

SELES'S SUPERIORITY

Out-paced from the back, his chip-and-charge tactics proved futile as Robredo whipped passing shots past his outstretched racket.

But Gambill persevered, taking the return of serve earlier, and the move began to pay dividends.

Robredo began to make errors and Gambill won the second set before sweeping into a 5-3 lead in the third.

The Spaniard refused to buckle however, saved two match points, forced a tiebreak and won it 7-2.

That levelled the match after Seles had been in top form to win her singles 6-1 7-6.

Heading into that match Seles held a 19-3 head-to-head lead over the Spanish 30-year-old and Seles's superiority was evident throughout their match.

"It was great once again to be back in Perth," Seles said afterwards. "We came up one short again but Spain were just better -- congratulations to them."

Gambill added: "We gave it our best again. I'd like to thank Monica for playing with me again? we're great friends and it is a great event.

"Reaching the finals again isn't so bad."

Earlier reports:
Gambill puts U.S. into Hopman final