 Robson and Murray were unable to stop Spain winning a third Hopman Cup |
British duo Andy Murray and Laura Robson were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the final of the Hopman Cup in Australia. Robson, 15, stunned world number 26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-1 7-6 (8-6) to win the ladies' singles. But world number four Murray was beaten 6-1 4-6 3-6 by Tommy Robredo and then Spain took the decisive mixed doubles 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 to seal victory in Perth. Murray took the blame for the defeat, saying: "I kind of let her down a bit, so I feel bad about that." Former junior Wimbledon champion Robson was not given much chance against Martinez Sanchez, ranked 377 places above her, but she produced an outstanding display. The victory was the teenager's first over a top-30 player and came after it had been confirmed she had been given a wildcard into qualifying for the Australian Open.  | She did great today beating a girl who is ranked 26 in the world. At her age that is amazing Andy Murray on Laura Robson |
"I'm sure Laura can speak for herself, but this week was a great experience for her," Murray said. "She did great today beating a girl who is ranked 26 in the world. At her age that is amazing. "She has the potential. I know what it's like at that age and she is only going to get better." A superb drive volley gave Robson her first break in the fourth game and the left-hander then broke again two games later on the way to winning the first set in emphatic fashion. Martinez Sanchez battled her way back into the match and led 5-3 in the second set, but Robson recovered and then saved a set point at 4-5 to force a tie-break. She won six points in succession to storm 6-2 ahead but the Spaniard levelled at 6-6, before Robson fired in two groundstroke winners to seal a famous victory. "From 6-3 she started going for her shots but then at 6-6 I was like, 'OK, just go for your shots'," Robson enthused. "I was getting more confident throughout the week because I was playing well against these higher-ranked girls. | 606: DEBATE |
"Today was really good in singles. I think I played really good. "I knew I could play that well it was just maintaining it throughout the match and I'm going to go into Melbourne full of energy." Murray, who had not lost a singles match until the final, looked certain to secure the trophy when he displayed more of the power hitting that has been so evident this week and raced to the first set against world number 16 Robredo. But Murray's clinical touch began to elude him and Robredo took full advantage, breaking in the 10th game to level the contest. One break was all he needed in the decider as well, and he kept his composure to clinch an impressive win and set up the final for a deciding doubles. The Britons were 6-3 ahead in the opening set tie-break but lost the initiative, and though Robson played valiantly to keep them in contention and two Championship points were saved at 5-4, Robredo slammed a backhand down the line two games later to clinch the trophy in style.
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