Thais serve hot stuff, scared SA stay in course

Thais serve hot stuff, scared SA stay in course
Steve Wood

PERTH, JANUARY 4: Defending champions South Africa survived a Hopman Cup scare from last year's runners-up Thailand on Thursday to stay on track for a repeat title.

Wayne Ferreira and Amanda Coetzer, the triumphant pairing 12 months ago at the Burswood Dome, found top form with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Paradorn Srichaphan and Tamarine Tanasugarn to clinch the decisive mixed doubles after the singles were split.

Coetzer had little trouble beating Tanasugarn 6-4, 6-4. Butworld No 13 Ferreira was ragged against No 104 Srichaphan and lost 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

Fourth seeds South Africa can still reach Saturday's final if they beat top seeds Switzerland -- the other group A team with two victories -- in the final round of matches on Friday.

Thailand are bottom of the section alongside Australia. South Africa aim to become the first country to retain the trophy in its 13-year history.

But Switzerland have won their opening two ties 3-0, and their team of 19-year-old Roger Federer and Martina Hingis, are favourites.

Coetzer has a particularly daunting task against Hingis.

The 20-year-old world No. 1 has won eight of their 10 meetings dating back to the Australian Open of 1996. Coetzer, former world No. 3 now ranked 11th, said: "Martina is the best I've ever played when it comes to tactics and controlling the court. Her anticipation and accuracy are excellent, and in thepast, I just haven't been allowed to get in to the matches against her.

"What I need to do is get into the first few points and play well early on. If you cannot do that, she can just get on a roll and the match is soon over."

Ferreira, who maintained he was happy with his performance against Srichaphan despite suffering his second consecutive singles defeat of the new season, has never faced Federer in a competitive situation.

Ferreira said: "I have practised a lot with Roger in the last year, so I have seen him close up. But it will be exciting to see how good he really is inmatchplay.

"We have no reason to doubt our chances against Switzerland. We have a great opportunity and we want to defend the title. It is going to be very close, and it would be nice if it was decided by the mixed doubles." (Reuters)