India succumb to Spain, fail to reach final in Hopman Cup

Perth, Jan 4 (UNI) Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lost their respective singles against Spanish opponents to end their hopes of making to the final of the Hopman Cup mixed team championship here today.

In the crucial Group B tie, Sania who was unbeaten till today, squandered one set advantage and went down to Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3, 1-6, 3-6. Medina's superior movement from the back of the court proved the deciding factor though the error-prone Hyderabadi also helped the Spaniards cause in the 100-minute contest.

Bopanna was no match for world number seven Tommy Robredo's pace who did short work of the Indian 6-2, 6-3 in 64 minutes.

Seeded second in the tournament, Spain will now meet top seeds Russia, who earlier beat France 3-0, in the final tomorrow.

Despite the loss, India's efforts were creditable as they only booked their place in the event by winning the inaugural Asian Hopman Cup in November last year.

UNI