United States opens Hopman Cup with a win
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-01 14:39

PERTH, Australia (AP) _ Lisa Raymond and Taylor Dent of the United States beat Serbia and Montenegro's Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic 7-6 (3), 6-2 in their deciding mixed doubles match Sunday at the Hopman Cup.

Earlier at the mixed teams tennis tournament at the Burswood Dome, Ivanovic beat Raymond in women's singles 6-2, 6-4 and Dent evened the match for the Americans with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Djokovic.

The United States is the most successful country at the tournament, having won the title three times.

The big-serving Dent and doubles specialist Raymond trailed 4-2 in the opening set before coming back to win the tiebreaker.

"They got off to a fast start, but we just had to hang in there," said Raymond. "We knew we could eventually grind them down."

The Americans pulled away in the second set, breaking Ivanovic's service in the final game. Dent set up triple match point with a deft crosscourt drop volley, and the Americans won the match two points later when Djokovic put an attempted return into the net.

Meanwhile, Wayne Arthurs has pulled out of the Australian team due to a right calf muscle tear. He incurred the injury while playing in Australia's 2-1 loss to Germany on Saturday.

Todd Reid will replace Arthurs, and since Reid is ranked below Arthurs in singles, Australia will remain eligible for the championship title.

In matches Monday, Argentina plays the Netherlands and Sweden plays Serbia and Montenegro.

Russia, the United States, Sweden and Serbia and Montenegro play in Group A while Argentina, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands are in Group B. The group winners play in the final on Friday.