Andy Murray & Heather Watson comprise the British team competing at the Hopman Cup this year and they got off to the perfect start with victory over France.  

Murray too good for De Schepper 

The Brit earned two break points in the first game, the Frenchman saved both these point, The Brit then earned another break point and took this opportuntiy to break in the very first game. Murray appeared relaxed as was shown when he held the next game to 30 and was two nil up.

The Frenchman served better in the next game as he was getting more first serves in, however a super drop, lob, smash combination from Murray was an amazing shot. There was also a great race to the net and drop shot from a volley to go 3-1 up.  Murray later left a ball thinking it was going out, but it hit the line, the Frenchman was serving. Murray soon found his game again though and with a sneaky overhead volley lob, the Brit was 5-1 up and one game away from the first set.

Kenny De Schepper was a late replacement for the injured Gael Monfils (Source: Menstennisforum)
Kenny De Schepper was a late replacement for the injured Gael Monfils (Source: Menstennisforum)

Murray was certainly moving well although did seem to grimace from time to time, in one of the shots of the day the Brit hit a between the legs shot but utlimately lost the point. The Brit though had secured the first set 6-2 in under 30 mins. In the third game of the second set Murray earned three break points and broke after a short rally to lead 2-1. De Schepper hit a cross court wide, Murray made a great volley that painted the line and held to 15 after the net cord disrupted the ball, the Brit challenged a line call that had been called as out. The ball was in and Murray had made a correct challenge. The next game the Brit broke to be up 4-1 followed by a good hold. Murray injected a lot of pace on his backhand shots, and then hit a lovely smash before the Frenchman sealed the game. Murray served the match out with little trouble to take the match 6-2, 6-2.

Watson v Garcia

There was a great rally in the game for Watson to get level at 30-30, it was clear to see that the Brit was nervous, this being her first "competitive" match of the season. Watson saved break points with an ace, and the third when Caroline Garcia netted. This second game of the match went on for eight mins before Watson managed to hold. Next game and Watson had 0-30 on the French womans serve but Garcia played some fine shots to hold serve.

Watson also held and before long the match was poised at 3-3 which included a lovely backhand down the line from the Brit, that painted the line. Garcia was still haveing trouble with her serve and Watson accidentally hit Garcia with a ball and both players laughed. Following a poor game from the Brit Garcia broke serve. In the next game a ball was called out and the Brit launched a challenge, however it was not successful as the ball was out by milimeters.

In the next set the ladies exchanged early breaks. Watson had another poor game and was broken to 15 meaning that Garcia was leading 2-3. Garcia had a shot to the open court but hit the ball too hard and it went out, Watson was fighting had and at 4-5 she managed to break back, holding her next service game Watson then broke to take the set 7-5. In the final set, although Watson was still trying hard unfortunately she was not able to take the match as the set went 6-3. The tie was now poised at 1-1

Mixed Doubles

In this match the Brits teamed up to face the French team. Murray & Watson were playing well and certainly enjoying themselves and they took the first set 6-2. In the second set it appeared that the level from the Brits dropped slightly as the French team levelled by taking a very close second set 7-5. This sent the match into a match tiebreak, the Brits finally seemed to be working well together and they raced into a lead, they soon had the match sealed as they took this decider 10-6 to win the first round robin tie. The Brits still have to face Australia and Germany in their group, after the Australians defeated the Germans in their opening match

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