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Swede sweep Stevenson, Blake defeated in straight sets
Posted: Monday January 03, 2000 01:19 PM
PERTH (Reuters) -- A last-minute U.S. replacement team lost in straight sets to Sweden in the Hopman Cup mixed team challenge singles matches on Monday. Alexandra Stevenson, who replaced an injured Monica Seles for the U.S., lost to Asa Carlsson 6-4 6-4. William Blake, a 20-year-old Harvard student and last year's Collegiate number one, was defeated 6-3 7-5 by Jonas Bjorkman, ranked 74. Stevenson showed little of the control that propelled her unexpectedly to last year's semi-finals at Wimbledon. "She was a little wild, her shots were going everywhere," Carlsson said. The American looked dejected by the start of the second set at this popular warm-up event for the Australian Open, at one point little more than tapping the ball into the net on a weak first serve from Carlsson. Carlsson, ranked 61, kept winning the big volleys with repeated attacks on Stevenson's formidable backhand. Stevenson appeared to get her second wind briefly in the second set, drawing on her big serve to even the score 2-2. However, at 4-4 the American started to rush her serve, providing Carlsson with the advantage she needed to win the match. James Blake who replaced Justin Gimelstob, also injured, at times appeared as if he was playing on clay rather than a hardcourt, as he slid to meet the more experienced Bjorkman's volleys. The Swede had little difficulty in disposing of Blake, although he later admitted a late lapse in concentration allowed the second set to reach 5-5 before he was able to regain his concentration. After conceding an early break, the little-known Blake fought back with a break of his own in the seventh game. Under the round robin format, the Swedish team next meets South Africans Amanda Coetzer and Wayne Ferrer. while the U.S. team faces Belgians Dominique Van Roost and Xavier Malisse.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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