Tuesday 2 January 2018 17:26, UK
Roger Federer took another impressive step towards his Australian Open title defence later this month with a straight-sets win over Russian Karen Khachanov at the Hopman Cup on Tuesday.
Elder statesman Federer proved was too good for 45th-ranked Russian Khachanov with a a 6-3 7-6 (10-8) win.
That made it two straight-sets wins from as many singles matches this week as Switzerland beat Russia 3-0 in their Group B tie in front of a record Hopman Cup crowd at the Perth Arena.
"I thought the intensity was great and the level high too," Federer said. "It was a good match overall and I was happy with my performance."
Belinda Bencic, on the comeback trail after injuries stalled her promising career, then upset world No 15 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets, 6-1 3-6 6-3 in just under two hours to clinch the tie for the Swiss.
In the dead mixed doubles rubber, the Swiss completed a clean sweep with a three-set win under the Fast4 format.
The Swiss will take on USA, who also remain unbeaten after they were handed a walkover victory over Japan earlier in the day, in their final round-robin contest on Thursday.
Group B
Switzerland bt Russia 3-0
Men's singles: Roger Federer (SUI) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS) 6-3 7-6 (10-8)
Women's singles: Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 6-1 3-6 6-3
Mixed doubles: Bencic/Federer (SUI) bt Pavlyuchenkova/Khachanov (RUS) 4-3 (5-1) 3-4 (3-5) 4-1
USA bt Japan 2-1
Women's singles: CoCo Vandeweghe (USA) bt Naomi Osaka (JPN) 6-0 6-0 (W/O)
Men's singles: Yuichi Sugita (JPN) bt Jack Sock (USA) 7-6 (7-1) 1-1 (ret)
Mixed doubles: Vandeweghe/Sock (USA) bt Osaka/Sugita (JPN) 4-0 4-0 (W/O)
We will be covering the Australian Open from all angles on www.skysports.com/tennis with news, previews, live blogs, reports and expert analysis.
On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation. Who will win the Australian Open? Have your say...
