Scores updated regularly. REFRESH NOW
2019 Hopman Cup, September 28 Australia vs France RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia Matthew Ebden vs Lucas Pouille |
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The Hopman Cup campaign for Australia begins against France, with the men’s singles match seeing the cagey veteran Matthew Ebden taking on power packet Lucas Pouille. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 10pm (AEDT).
Ebden put together a career-best year in 2018 and will look to get the new season off to a positive start in preparation for a hopeful deep run at the Australian Open in a few weeks time.
After reaching a career-high ranking of 39 during the year, he comes into the new year just outside the top 45.
While he didn’t have the success of fellow countrymen John Millman or Alex De Minaur, he battled away in his usual style, attacking the net and being fast around the court at every opportunity.
He ended the year with a better than 50 per cent winning record, but the 31-year-old will look to take his game to another level this year.
His style should suit this match against the Frenchman though, with a lot of fast movement and good service returns, before getting into the defensive grind and trying to extend points.
A third-round appearance at Wimbledon, including a victory over David Goffin, showed exactly what he can do when given the opportunity to dictate terms around the court.
Pouille, who finished 2018 ranked 32, but has been higher at various points, will be also looking to take his game to the next level in 2019 and crack the top ten.
He has plenty of power and a big serve, but sometimes struggles to control matches and get on top when the challenge is taken to him by an opponent.
He, like Ebden, was only just above 50 per cent in terms of win-loss ratios last year, and finished the year with a disappointing loss to Marin Cilic in the Davis Cup.
After failing to go past the third round at any grand slam last year, questions will be asked about exactly where his game is at, so even though this is almost treated like an exhibition even, he needs to get off to a good start.
Prediction
On paper, Pouille is the better player, however, tennis matches aren’t won on paper. Ebden is a fighter and not having the jet lag the Frenchman will have, I reckon Ebden gets the Aussies off to a good start here.
Ebden in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Hopman Cup match from around 10pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: Around 10pm (AEDT)
Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia
TV: Live, 9Gem
Online: Live, 9Now
Overall record: Never played
Scott Pryde
Expert
Indeed. See you in the morning for the Test Jordan. Thanks for tuning in.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
get some rest.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Indeed, but he has lived in Perth for most of his life - he considers himself a Perth boy.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Australia will play Spain next Wednesday. They have Garbine Muguruza and David Ferrer. The other team in Australia's group is Germany who have Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber. Tuesday night is USA vs Switzerland with both Roger Federer and Serena Williams involved. Brisbane International starts Monday featuring plenty of Aussies as well.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right then, I'm going to call it a night there after what has been a pretty long day for me personally with the Test and Hopman Cup. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage here on The Roar of this tie between Australia and France. We will be back with more tennis from Monday as the Brisbane International gets underway, then more of the Hopman Cup in the New Year. Bye for now.
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
Who’s the next round opponent Scotty?
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
They are calling him a Perth boy, he was born in South Africa.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Oh no, don't stuff this one up. YESSS, the Aussies win. No doubles to blog Scott which i know you're happy about. I actually though Ebden would lose this match.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH MATTHEW EBDEN And there it is. Pouille sends a ball up the line well wide of the mark and Matthew Ebden hands Australia the victory over France on the opening night of the Hopman Cup. An excellent comeback from Ebden. He was beaten in that first set by huge serving and a lot of class by Pouille, but Ebden then turned around and got his serve going, started to pose some questions for the Frenchman and then dominated the third set to take the victory. After Ashleigh Barty's work earlier on today, Australia have beaten France 2-0 with mixed doubles still to come. Matthew Ebden 3 7 6 Lucas Pouille 6 6 2
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
Great comeback ))
Scott Pryde
Expert
Pouille saves the first then with Ebden lining up a backhand and powering it into the net. Ebden 3 7 5 - 40 Pouille 6 6 2 - 15
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
To love
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, no return and just like that, Ebden has brought up three match points. Ebden 3 7 5 - 40 Pouille 6 6 2 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Huge serve down the middle from Ebden. Pouille returns long on the reaching forehand. Ebden 3 7 5 - 30 Pouille 6 6 2 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ebden with his first chance to serve out the match and tie. Starts with an ACE out wide. Ebden 3 7 5 - 15 Pouille 6 6 2 - 0
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
Bring it home ebden!
Scott Pryde
Expert
EBDEN WITH A DOUBLE BREAK Now he has the double break! Pouille a body serve and then up to the net, but Ebden has launched that forehand passing shot and now will have two service games to get the job done. Ebden 3 7 5 - Pouille 6 6 2 -
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
Class shot
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
That must have been close. Your kidding, that's not even a millimetre.