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2019 Hopman Cup Women's singles Pat Rafter Arena, Queensland Tennis Centre USA vs Switzerland |
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Serena Williams will be back on court at the Hopman Cup at New Year’s Day as she attempts to begin the recovery effort for the USA. Standing in her way is defending champion Belinda Bencic. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from around 10pm (AEDT).
Williams looked a little rusty starting her season on Monday afternoon in the Hopman Cup tie against Greece.
Taking on Maria Sakkari, she needed a tiebreaker to get the job done in the first set, before going on with a much more convincing second set.
However, Bencic is going to be a much tougher test and she will need to lift her level of performance to avoid being knocked over tonight.
It was hardly a surprise to see some rust in Williams’ game given her last match in 2018 was at the US Open when she was stunned in the final by Japan’s Naomi Osaka.
Back up to 16th in the world after almost a year out of the game, she will look for one final push this year before calling it a career sometime in the near future.
Bencic, who alongside Roger Federer was apart of the winning team last year for Switzerland, also got her campaign and new season off to a fast start with a victory over Katie Boulter in straight sets as Switzerland crushed Great Britain.
So long as Federer does the expected earlier in the evening, she won’t be under all that much pressure in this match.
After finishing last year strongly, including making the final of an event in Las Vegas, she will have plenty of confidence, and one would expect, simply try to match Williams for power, which, to be fair, is not something many players have been able to do over the years.
Prediction
Serena Williams didn’t look at her absolute best in the opener on Monday afternoon, but she will be better for the run and should overcome Bencic in a pretty tight tussle.
Williams in three sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match at the Hopman Cup between the USA and Switzerland from around 10pm (AEDT) or at the completion of the men’s singles between Roger Federer and Frances Tiafoe and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: Around 10pm (AEDT)
Venue: RAC Arena, Perth
TV: Live, Nine Network
Online: Live, 9Now
Betting: Williams $1.35, Bencic $3.21
Overall record:
Last meeting:
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right then, it's time for mixed doubles. Serena Williams, Roger Federer, both on the court at the same time. This is what the people have come to see and what tennis fans have been talking about for months. Hopefully you enjoyed the call of this one and will stick around.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, SERENA WILLIAMS Fault from Williams. The second is just sort of rolled in and Williams has to play defence, but Bencic sends a backhand long, so that'll do us at the RAC Arena. The USA have leveled the tie and that. That means the mixed doubles featuring Serena Williams on one side of the net and Roger Federer on the other will be LIVE! Yeeha. Serena Williams 4 6 6 Belinda Bencic 6 4 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve from Williams and here is another look at match point with the return going long. Williams... 4 6 5 - AD Bencic...... 6 4 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Williams. The second now is fired at the body. Bencic returned well and Williams challenged, but it did indeed catch the line. Williams... 4 6 5 - deuce (1) Bencic...... 6 4 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Down the T and here is a match point for Williams. Williams... 4 6 5 - 40 Bencic...... 6 4 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Williams sends a forehand long this time. Williams... 4 6 5 - 30 Bencic...... 6 4 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great depth on the return. Williams adjusts her shot well, but then was out of sorts and framed a backhand wide. Williams... 4 6 5 - 30 Bencic...... 6 4 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
A return of serve into the net this time. Two points for Serena. Williams... 4 6 5 - 30 Bencic...... 6 4 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
That is a shot and a half from Williams. Now a bad return from Bencic but Williams laces the forehand down the line. Williams... 4 6 5 - 15 Bencic...... 6 4 3 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, Bencic lives to fight another chance at breaking the Williams serve. Forehand return goes wide this time from Williams. Williams... 4 6 5 - Bencic...... 6 4 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bencic just hanging on by a thread here. Williams... 4 6 5 - 30 Bencic...... 6 4 2 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve to the backhand wing this time. Williams puts it long. Williams... 4 6 5 - 15 Bencic...... 6 4 2 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Body serve this time at Serena. She goes the big forehand down the sideline and it was called out, but it's dropped on the line according to hawkeye. Williams... 4 6 5 - 15 Bencic...... 6 4 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bencic now serving to keep the match going. Williams... 4 6 5 - 0 Bencic...... 6 4 2 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Williams down the T and she finally manages to hold. Just one game away now. Williams... 4 6 5 - Bencic...... 6 4 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Down the T from Williams. Williams... 4 6 4 - AD Bencic...... 6 4 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Short return and Williams gives the forehand a good thump, but it goes long. Williams... 4 6 4 - deuce (4) Bencic...... 6 4 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve from Williams and Bencic gets there, but can only send the forehand return long. Williams... 4 6 4 - AD Bencic...... 6 4 2 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault. Williams... 4 6 4 - deuce (3) Bencic...... 6 4 2 -