• Hopman Cup

Tsonga concerned by injury ahead of Australian Open

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will nurse a hamstring injury © Getty Images

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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga withdrew from the Hopman Cup as a precautionary measure on Friday, after picking up a slight injury during his singles match.

The Frenchman felt a problem with his left hamstring during his 7-6(4) 7-6(3) victory over Kevin Anderson, and decided to retire shortly after the start of the subsequent doubles match when the problem failed to improve.

With the Australian Open due to start in just 10 days, Tsonga is hopeful the injury will clear up before his first round match in Melbourne - although he will not now play in next week's Sydney International in a bid to accelerate his recovery.

"I don't know exactly what I have but I felt something during the singles," Tsonga said. "It was a bit short between the singles and the mixed doubles so I didn't have time to know exactly what is it.

"It was a bit more sore during the mixed doubles so for me it was better to quit."

The withdrawal ensured South Africa won their tie with France, after Chanelle Scheepers had earlier come from behind to beat Mathilde Johansson in three sets. Despite the result, neither country reached the final.

Instead, Serbia will face Spain in Saturday's conclusion to the event, after Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic dominated their respective singles matches during the meeting with Germany.

Djokovic kicked off proceedings by hammering Tommy Haas 6-2 6-0, before Ivanovic went one better in clinching the match as she demolished Tatjana Malek 6-0 6-1.

After a sketchy start to the event in Perth, Djokovic now believes his game is taking shape nicely ahead of the first grand slam of the year.

"I felt drastically better than in the first few days here, I've had a few more hours of practice, rest and sleep and got used to the conditions here," Djokovic said.

"Right now, I believe I am where I need to be [for the Australian Open].

"Not 100 per cent physically, but I am getting there and we are still working on some things that will make me feel 100 per cent for Melbourne in 10 days."

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