Ukraine stay on track for Hopman final spot

Perth - Dolgopolov, Svitolina score impressive wins against Czechs

Alexandr Dolgopolov put Ukraine within reach of their second Hopman Cup final with an impressive singles win on Tuesday in the mixed teams event in Perth.
In Ukraine's first appearance at the event since 1995, world number 36 Dolgopolov gave his country two wins from as many ties with his victory over the Czech Republic's Jiri Vesely.
After the 19th-ranked Elina Svitolina upset world number 11 Karolina Pliskova in straight sets in the women's singles, Dolgopolov clinched the tie when he beat Vesely in similar fashion 7-5, 7-6 (7/3).
In the dead mixed doubles rubber, the Czechs kept their final hopes alive with a 6-3, 6-1 win.
Having already beaten the USA on Monday, the result puts Ukraine in pole position to reach Saturday's final.
As the only unbeaten team in their group, Dolgopolov and Svitolina simply need to beat one of the two home teams, Australia Gold, in their last round-robin match Thursday to reach the final.
Dolgopolov, who beat American Jack Sock in a singles match on Monday, said it was a tough match against the 41st-ranked Vesely, and he was hopeful the winning streak would continue.
"It was a tight match and I was really happy to be the winner in two," he said. "We are doing our best and we've had some great matches, hopefully we can get through."
Pliskova was plagued by errors during the women's match and was always under pressure, with Svitolina winning 7-5, 6-2.
It was Svitolina's first win in five matches against the rangy Czech and the Ukrainian was thrilled with the result, which gave her two wins from as many singles outings in Perth.
"I was playing really well and it is extremely tough to play against her," he said.
"I needed to be focused from the first to last point.
"It was amazing to win my first match against her."
In Ukraine's last appearance at the Hopman Cup, siblings Andrei Medvedev and Natalia Medvedeva were beaten in the final by Germany's Boris Becker and Anke Huber. - AFP