Germany beat Spain in their Hopman Cup opener

Reuters - Germany defeated Spain 3-0 in their opening Hopman Cup tie in Perth on Sunday (December 30). Women's world number two Angelique Kerber put the Germans ahead with a three-set victory over Garbine Muguruza, winning 6-2 3-6 6-3. The Wimbledon champion had two breaks of serve to take the first set before Muguruza fought back to level the match. In the deciding set, Kerber broke the Spaniard's serve in the fourth game and went on to secure the win. Alexander Zverev came through a tough 6-4 4-6 7-6(0) encounter against veteran David Ferrer to give Germany a 2-0 lead. Zverev, the world number four, broke the 36-year-old Spaniard in the fifth game of the opening set. But Ferrer, who will retire in 2019, battled back to take the second set. The third set went to a tie-break which the German-dominated, reeling off a string of winners to clinch the match. Germany also claimed the mixed doubles, winning in straight sets, 4-2 4-3 (5-3).