Hosts stunned by Romania

Romania teenager Sorana Cirstea inspired Romania to a surprise victory over top seeds Australia on the opening day of the Hopman Cup.

Australia defeated in Hopman Cup opener

Romania teenager Sorana Cirstea inspired Romania to a surprise victory over top seeds Australia on the opening day of the Hopman Cup in Perth. The 19-year-old shocked world number 13 Sam Stosur in front of her home crowd 3-6 6-4 6-3 in the opening match, before teaming up with an injury-hit Victor Hanescu in the mixed doubles to clinch an unlikely win. Hanescu had been hampered by cramp towards the end of his 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-2) defeat to the returning Lleyton Hewitt - a result which saw the tie levelled at 1-1. But with Cirstea taking centre stage, the eastern Europeans stunned the host nation 7-5 6-1 in the mixed doubles to dent Australia's hopes of reaching next Sunday's final. "For me today was a perfect day," Cirstea said. "I had a very good singles match when I beat Sam who is 13 in the world and then going out and playing mixed with Victor for the first time and winning - I can not expect more than this."