• Hopman Cup

Murray and Robson beaten in Hopman Cup final

ESPN.co.uk
January 9, 2010
Andy Murray and Laura Robson went down fighting in the Hopman Cup final © Getty Images
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Andy Murray and Laura Robson failed in their bid to secure Hopman Cup glory for Britain, going down 2-1 to Spain.

The 15-year-old Robson produced a stunning upset to take the scalp of world No.26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-1 7-6 (8-6), but Murray was beaten in three sets 6-1 4-6 3-6 by Tommy Robredo to set up a deciding doubles clash.

Murray and Robson are planning to team up together in more doubles events, such has been their understanding, but they were beaten 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 after letting three set points slip through their grasp in the first set.

It was a third Hopman Cup final win for Spain, while it was the second for Robredo who partnered Arantxa Sanchez Vicario to glory in 2002.

Robson's form in the singles had been patchy, but she found her stride at the perfect moment to claim her first success of the week. Time and again Robson hit sublime passing shots on both wings. Martinez Sanchez upped her game in the second set to force a tie-break, but Robson held her nerve as she took the match with a searing backhands after squandering four match points.

With Robson securing a surprise win, the stage was set for Murray to hammer in the final nail. Just 24 hours previous he had said there was no way he would lose to Robredo. Such statements can make you look foolish and so it proved as Robredo recovered from being outgunned in the first set to take the match.

Murray did not help himself with a string of unforced errors and with victory under his belt, Robredo helped Martinez Sanchez wrap up a doubles success.

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