Winning is what counts

Hewitt survives scoreless set to win Hopman Cup match

Lleyton Hewitt flips his racquet, but he still defeated Roger Federer 6-3, 0-6, 6-4. AP

PERTH, Australia (AP) -- Lleyton Hewitt failed to win a game in the second set but recovered to beat Roger Federer 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 Sunday, helping Australia beat Switzerland in the Hopman Cup.

Earlier, Alicia Molik gave Australia a 1-0 lead with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Miroslava Vavrinec. Molik and Hewitt later combined to defeat the Swiss pair 6-3, 6-1 in mixed doubles for a 3-0 sweep in the opening round.

The United States is represented by Monica Seles and Jan-Michael Gambill in the mixed-team exhibition featuring eight nations.

The Americans open Monday in Group A against France's Virginie Razzano and Arnaud Clement. Belgium and Italy are also in the group.

On Sunday night, Spain defeated Argentina in Group B when Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario beat Paola Suarez 6-2, 6-3 and Tommy Robredo downed Mariano Zabaleta 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Spain captured the doubles 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, winning the special tiebreaker 10-5.

Australia and Switzerland are the other teams in the group. The winners of each group play in the final Saturday.

Zabaleta, a U.S. Open quarterfinalist, replaced Guillermo Coria, who has been suspended until March by the ATP after testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolone.

Hewitt, appearing in his first Hopman Cup, won his first 12 service points. The world's No. 1 player then broke Federer in the sixth game to lead 4-2 in the first set. He then traded service games with Federer to take the set.

Federer used strong ground strokes to blank Hewitt in the second set, but the Aussie quickly regrouped in the third set.

"He's extremely flashy and he hits some incredible shots, but then he shanks a few balls and when you get your opportunities you've got to take them," Hewitt said.

"It's like weathering the storm out there, and every time I've played him it's been the same sort of situation. He plays some really great tennis and then he steps off the pedal."

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