Sport

Britain denied a place in the Hopman Cup final despite victory

Andy Murray and Heather Watson defeat Germany 3-0 in Perth but Australia Green edged out France

Rafael Nadal of Spain who beat Illya Marchenko (Ukraine) 6-3 6-4 and will face Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the final of the Qatar Open. Photograph: EPA
Rafael Nadal of Spain who beat Illya Marchenko (Ukraine) 6-3 6-4 and will face Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the final of the Qatar Open. Photograph: EPA
Fri Jan 08 2016 - 20:33

Britain were denied a place in the Hopman Cup final as Australia Green edged out France in a tense finish.

The British team of Andy Murray and Heather Watson had put pressure on the Australians by beating Germany 3-0 in Perth, which meant Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova needed to defeat France to reach the final.

Kyrgios won comfortably against Kenny De Schepper but Gavrilova lost to Caroline Garcia and the mixed doubles went to a deciding match tie-break. It was close all the way through but Gavrilova pulled off a brilliant volley to save a French match point at 9-8 and Australia won three points in a row to clinch victory.

Their 11-9 success was a repeat of the deciding tie-break they won against Britain on Wednesday, which ultimately proved the difference between the sides