Roger Federer and Serena Williams opened the New Year with wins at the Hopman Cup on Tuesday to add spice to their showpiece mixed doubles game with defending champion Switzerland and the United States level at 1-1.
After Federer beat Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-1 in the men's singles, Williams overcame a sluggish start to defeat Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 and keep alive U.S. title hopes after an opening Group B loss to Greece on Monday.
The result ensures the eagerly awaited mixed doubles pitting Federer and Williams against each other for the first time will decide the rubber.
It is Williams' first tournament since an angry confrontation with the umpire at the U.S. Open final in September and she has won both her matches in unconvincing fashion.
"It's a relief. She played really well but I knew that I could play better," Williams said.
The 37-year-old Williams started fast with an early break to storm to a 3-0 lead before an error-strewn performance ensued as Bencic recovered to win the opener.
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The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion fought back in a tight second set and captured the pivotal break in the 10th game. A flustered Bencic slammed her racket on the court as the match leveled and she never seriously threatened in the decider.
Earlier, the 37-year-old Federer was made to work during a tough first set before overwhelming the 20-year-old Tiafoe and taking control of the contest by winning seven straight games.
Federer needed just 57 minutes to claim his fourth straight victory over the rising American player.
"I played another good match. I'm really happy," Federer said.
"It is a great start to the season for me. I made sure I kept focused on my serve and he gave me some errors at the end of the first set."
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