France have upset the United States to win the Hopman Cup at the tennis tournament in Perth.
The US were the favourites heading into the final of the mixed team event, despite the French upsetting top seeds Switzerland to make the final.
French tennis player Richard Gasquet Photo: Photosport
Richard Gasquet gave France the early lead by beating American Jack Sock 6-3 5-7 7-6 in a thrilling match lasting two and a half hours, where the Frenchman saved a match point in the third-set tiebreak.
However, his partner Kristina Mladenovic failed to wrap up victory as she struggled to cope with the powerful groundstrokes of Coco Vandeweghe, who brought the US level by beating the Frenchwoman 6-4 7-5.
Vandeweghe's win forced the final to a deciding mixed doubles match and France won it 4-1 4-3 after a second-set tiebreak to deny the Americans a record seventh Hopman Cup title.
Gasquet said it was an honour to win the Hopman Cup for France for just the second time.
"A lot of great players have won here, so that's why we're happy to have our names on the cup. We are very proud," Gasquet said.
Jack Sock laid the blame for the loss squarely on his shoulders.
"We came up short today. It's my fault. I'm sorry," Sock said.
- Reuters
