 Dominika Cibulkova celebrates her victory over Dinara Safina |
Slovakia claimed a surprise win over Russia in the final of the Hopman Cup after winning both singles matches. Dominika Cibulkova's impressive groundstrokes set up a 6-7 (3-7) 6-1 6-4 win over Dinara Safina in the women's singles. Safina's brother Marat Safin then lost 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to Dominik Hrbaty in the men's singles match. Slovakia's unassailable 2-0 lead means the mixed doubles match will not need to be played.  | 606: DEBATE |
"I'm just so happy I beat her," said Cibulkova, who had lost her two previous matches against Safina. "I had to play aggressive. I was up 5-1 and suddenly it was 5-4, then she had a break point so I was really fighting." Slovakia had beaten defending champions the United States on the way to the final, where they won the mixed team event for the third time in its 21-year history.
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