Germans drafted in to replace South Koreans in Hopman Cup

SINGAPORE, Nov 23 (Reuters) Germany's Nicolas Kiefer and team mate Martina Mueller will replace South Korea at this year's Hopman Cup, organisers of the mixed ITF event said today.

The Asian team was forced out of the tournament yesterday after Yoon Jeong-cho injured herself in a practice match.

Germany will join the US, Australia and Russia in Group A at the Dec. 30-Jan. 5 event in Perth, Australia.

Group B contains Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia and the winners of the inaugural Asian Hopman Cup taking place this week.

Germany will face defending champions US in their first match, when Mueller will play five-times grand slam champion Venus Williams and Kiefer will face Taylor Dent.

Kiefer played Hopman Cup for the first time last year, winning matches against Gaston Gaudio and Wayne Arthurs before taking his good form to Melbourne for a career best grand slam semi-final appearance at the Australian Open.

REUTERS PM PM1341