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Article: Russia, Slovakia in Hopman Cup final
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- January 8, 2009
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The brother and sister combination of Dinara Safina and Marat Safin won the deciding mixed doubles match against France on Thursday to secure Russia a place in the final against Slovakia at the Hopman Cup.
Safina gave Russia an early lead by beating Alize Cornet 6-3, 6-2, but Gilles Simon then defeated Safin 7-6 (5), 6-3. In mixed doubles, Russia beat France 6-4, 6-3, its third straight win in the round-robin format this week.
France had a chance to make Friday's final, but needed to beat Russia in straight sets. Once the French lost the first set, only Russia and Italy had a chance to advance.
"It was hard after we lost the first," said Cornet. "But they ...