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Hopman Cup: China beat in play-off by Netherlands
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-12-30 20:48
The Netherlands clinched the final berth in the main draw of the Hopman Cup
international mixed teams tennis tournament with a 2-1 win over China in
the opening play-off tie.
Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands returns
to Shuai Peng of China during their qualifying match in Perth, Australia.
The Netherlands clinched the final berth in the main draw of the Hopman
Cup international mixed teams tennis tournament with a 2-1 win over China
in the opening play-off tie. [AFP] |
They will now join second seeds Argentina, third seeds Australia and unseeded
favourites Germany in Group B of the eight-nation, 750,000-dollar tournament at
Perth's Burswood Dome.
With the tie locked at 1-1 Friday following the singles rubbers, the Dutch
pair of Peter Wessels and Michaella Krajicek teamed up to take the deciding
mixed doubles 6-4, 6-4 in 67 minutes.
The Netherlands had similar succes in the play-off tie last year, qualifying
for the main draw with a win over Zimbabwe, while China were making their debut
in the tournament.
China took the early lead in the tie when 19-year-old Peng Shuai won the
opening rubber 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 against the even younger Krajicek in a match
lasting just under two hours.
Krajicek, 16, paid the price for too many unforced errors, making 47 for the
match compared to 21 by Peng.
Peng, who climbed to a world ranking of 31 last August after wins over some
top-ranked players including Russian Elena Dementieva and former world number
one Kim Clijsters, looked comfortable early on before dropping her opening serve
in the second set then regaining her composure in the third.
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