Hopman Cup 2018

            View the full Schedule of Play here


 

“Even during my injury I knew I would be playing here, so it was kind of a light at the end of the tunnel. I was really excited and trying to prepare as best I could.”
- @BelindaBencic #HopmanCup https://t.co/JM49HMP3GB

— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) December 27, 2017

Belinda Bencic: a fresh start

4 hours ago, by Simon Orchard - Hopman Cup



Belinda Bencic returns to Perth to represent Switzerland alongside Roger Federer; Getty Images


Belinda Bencic returns to the Mastercard Hopman Cup with her injury troubles behind her and excited for what 2018 may hold.

The 20-year-old Swiss star admitted 2017 was a frustrating year as she battled a wrist problem that eventually forced her to undergo surgery and miss five months of the season.

“I had surgery on my wrist after trying to play through the pain for about nine months. I had physiotherapy and some other treatments and I was hoping I wouldn’t have to go in [for surgery]. We tried everything we could to avoid it but I couldn’t,” said Bencic following a training session at Perth Arena.

“In the end we made the right decision and I’m very happy we did it.”

The injury lay-off saw Bencic’s ranking drop outside the top 100 for the first time since 2014, and left her wondering ‘where to from here?’

But with a smile on her face and 15 straight match wins – incorporating titles in Thailand,  Chinese Taipei and Dubai – behind her, Bencic arrives back in Australia pain-free and thrilled at the prospect of playing in another Hopman Cup.

“Even during my injury I knew I would be playing here, so it was kind of a light at the end of the tunnel. I was really excited and trying to prepare as best I could,” Bencic said.

“My memories from here are amazing. I enjoyed it so much. No-one had to convince me to come back,” she said.

Bencic moved well in an early hit-out on Perth Arena, and said there was no better place to prepare for the Australian Summer of tennis than right here at the Hopman Cup.

“The best thing is you have three matches guaranteed, you have the same conditions, everything is perfect and it is the best preparation for the Australian Open,” she said.

Bencic arrives in Perth in form after victory at the ITF event in the United Arab Emirates, as well as in two WTA 125 Series tournaments in Thailand and Taiwan respectively.

“I’m just happy to be back on the court,” Bencic said.

“I have played three really good tournaments in the last month and have my confidence back. I didn’t have my game back right away but I feel like I’m improving every time I step on the court.

“My aim was to qualify for the Australian Open and now I’m in the main draw and back in the top 100 so I want to improve every time I get on the court.”

Something Bencic believes Roger Federer can again assist her with, after admitting she learnt a lot from the Swiss great at last year’s event.

“Roger and I were just waiting for the matches last year and we had normal conversations about his experiences and it was really great to talk to him,” Bencic said.

“Obviously I learn a lot on the court, but off the court as well. About his mentality, about how to be more relaxed, just general stuff,” she said.

“I am very emotional on the court, its how I am, but I’m learning to remain more calm. Obviously one day I want to hopefully not have any racquet throws and stuff. Hopefully he [Roger] can help with that also,” she laughed.

Switzerland opens its Mastercard Hopman Cup campaign against Japan in the first night session on Saturday 30 January.

Tickets are available via Ticketek  

The power of @BelindaBencic. #HopmanCup preparations have begun at @PerthArena. pic.twitter.com/WiPqneBr0x

— HopmanCup (@hopmancup) December 27, 2017

The power of @BelindaBencic. #HopmanCup preparations have begun at @PerthArena. pic.twitter.com/WiPqneBr0x

— HopmanCup (@hopmancup) December 27, 2017

The Hopman Cup: How does it work?

Seedings and groups

The seedings of the eight teams are based on the players’ singles rankings. The eight teams are then placed into two groups – Group A and Group B.

Each team plays the other three teams in their group. The top placed team from each group at the completion of the group matches then meet in the final.


Matches

Each session consists of a men’s and women’s singles match and a mixed doubles match.

Men’s and women’s singles will be the best of three sets.

Mixed doubles matches will be the best of three FAST4 Tennis sets for the first time in 2017. The new innovative format features four rules including play lets, no ad scoring, tiebreaker at three games all (first to five points) and first to four games wins (a set).

The order of matches are played in (women’s and men’s singles) will vary (e.g. sometimes the women’s singles will be played followed by the men’s singles and vice versa). The mixed doubles will always be the third match on.


What if two teams in one group win the same number of ties?

In the case of a draw in terms of the win–loss record in either group, the following factors, in order, will be used to separate the teams:

1.The highest total of matches won
2.Best percentage of sets won/lost *
3.Best percentage of games won/lost **
4.Head-to-head performances
5.The toss of a coin

Source: Hopmancup.com