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Dismissed Belgium falls 3-0 to South Africa in Hopman Cup opener
Posted: Sunday January 02, 2000 11:32 AM
PERTH, Australia (AP) -- South Africa got off to a winning start in the Hopman Cup on Sunday by dismissing Belgium 3-0 in the first round of the international mixed team tennis tournament. Amanda Coetzer, sporting a dramatic new braided hairstyle -- like the Williams sisters but minus the beads -- overcame Dominique Van Roost 6-4, 6-2 and Wayne Ferreira sealed their victory by overcoming Xavier Malisse 6-2, -3. In the doubles, the South Africans made it a clean sweep by winning 7-5, 6-3. The winning pair had contrasting lead-ups to the event. Coetzer stayed busy during the off-season by playing some exhibition matches in South Africa against Steffi Graf. Ferreira, whose wife had a baby boy last September, didn't play for two months. "I had a long break, but I was happy for a first match back," said Ferreira. "I felt good and moved well. I didn't put enough first serves in but I can pick that up." Mark Philippoussis, who is defending the title with partner Jelena Dokic, has been inspired by his recent performance in the Davis Cup final, where his victory over Cedric Pioline earned Australia victory over France. And although there are now greater expectations of the 23-year-old, he claims he doesn't feel any extra pressure. "This is what it's all about," he said. "It's going to make me train harder and make me want to win more." The round-robin event consists of two groups, and each team plays three times to determine who will contest Saturday's final. Group A consists of South Africa, the United States, Belgium and Sweden. Group B is made up of Australia, the Slovak Republic, Austria and Thailand. In matches Monday, the United States plays Sweden and the Slovak Republic takes on Austria.
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