This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Germany have come from a set down to beat Australia in a live Fast4 mixed doubles rubber to qualify for Saturday night’s Hopman Cup final in Perth.



Australia looked set to complete an upset win in the tie and elevate Belgium to the play-off against the Swiss pair of Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Daria Gavrilova took the first set from Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber and led 3-1 in the final set tiebreak, but the Germans duo recovered to win 1-4 4-1 4-3 (7-3).

Johanna Konta’s Australian Open chances given unexpected boost Read more

The final set was not without controversy either, with Kokkinakis forfeiting a point after a powerful forehand hit Kerber in the hip. He was probably in a generous mood after he produced some of his best tennis to come from a set down to upset world No4 Zverev in their singles clash.

Kokkinakis’ hitting against Zverev was world class and he sent down 17 aces to win a thriller, 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 6-4, in 2h 41m.

The World No209 Kokkinakis was in the match from the outset, but couldn’t earn a break of serve in the opening set. While he finally found his rhythm on serve, he still needed eight set points to claim the second set and level the rubber.



The 21-year-old Australian needed only one break point in the third set though, to take a 3-2 lead and then held on for an impressive victory in a high-standard contest.

After finally putting his injury woes behind him Kokkinakis now believes he’s back on track to relaunch his career following a strong showing.



He climbed to 69 in the world rankings in 2015, but spent the first half of 2017 sidelined with a shoulder injury and played just once in 2016 due to groin and pectoral problems.

“I knew a performance like this wasn’t far away,” Kokkinakis said. “I have played like that in certain patches in practise. For the crowd to see that and for people at home to see that; that was big for me.”

Kokkinakis also beat world No109 Vasek Pospisil this week and while he lost to world No7 David Goffin in straight sets, he thought he hit the ball well that day too.



He’s in a hurry to see his ranking rise, but concedes he probably won’t reach his peak fitness until midyear.



But being sidelined and watching Zverev, 20, rocket in to the top 10 has made him hungry for success. “It is what it is,” Kokkinakis said. “He has been able to stay healthy and he’s had a great year. And he’s up there for a reason.”



“But I know what I am capable of and hopefully more people do now after seeing that.

Kokkinakis’ preparation for the Australian Open moves to Adelaide, where he will play in the World Tennis Challenge against France’s Gael Monfils and Frances Tiafoe, of the USA.

Doubts turn to desperation after Andy Murray’s lost six months Read more

Earlier, former No1 Kerber got the Germans off to a great start when making light work of Gavrilova, winning 6-1 6-2 in just 58 minutes. Gavrilova, ranked No25, started strongly, earning four break points in the opening game of the match, but failed to convert any of them.



Kerber, ranked No21, quickly found her touch, hitting 10 winners to the Australian’s one in the opening set to take the lead in just 23 minutes. Gavrilova also failed to convert the only chance she had to break the German’s serve in the second set.

The Germans are aiming to win their third Hopman Cup title, but their first since Boris Becker and Anke Huber teamed up in 1995.

Switzerland’s last and second trophy, in 2001, was won by a then 19-year-old Roger Federer and world No1 Martina Hingis.

Despite her loss, Gavrilova has her sights on reaching the top 20 this year. Currently ranked 25, she will complete her Open preparation in Sydney.

She had mixed results in Perth, beating Eugenie Bouchard and losing to Angelique Kerber and Elise Mertens. “Top 20 is my goal. I am not far away from it now,” she said. “I feel I belong inside top 20.”

“Once I get top 20, I can dream about top 10.”