Murray and Robson confirmed for Hopman Cup

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:48

Hopman Cup organisers have confirmed that Andy Murray will team up with Laura Robson to represent Great Britain at the event in January.

The world No.4 and former Wimbledon girls’ champion Robson are the first British team to enter the event since Jo Durie and Jeremy Bates played back in 1992.

Murray, who for the past two years has won the ATP tournament in Doha ahead of the year’s first major will instead use the Perth tournament as a warm-up for the Australian Open later that month.

“It’s the first time Andy’s prepared in Australia so that’s a big statement,” said Hopman Cup director Paul McNamee. “He’s never done well at the Australian Open.

“He indicated through his management he wanted to do something different this year.

“They noticed Novak Djokovic [in 2008] and Marat Safin [in 2005] used the Perth route to win the Australian Open so they are giving it a shot.”

Each year eight nations are invited to enter a pair to represent their country. Each match at the mixed team event features one men’s singles, one women’s singles and a doubles rubber.

Other teams confirmed for next year’s event include the United States, with Melanie Oudin and John Isner representing the stars and stripes.

Elena Dementieva and Igor Andreev will be competing for Russia, and Spain will be represented by Tommy Robredo and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

The host nation’s team of world No.13 Sam Stosur and former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt have been installed as top seeds.

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