Williams shrugs off jet lag to lead US to Cup victory

Serena Williams of the US plays a return during her women's singles match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Serena Williams shrugged off her jet lag to lead the US to a 3-0 victory over the Czech Republic at the Hopman Cup mixed teams tennis tournament yesterday.

Little more than 24 hours after stepping off a marathon flight to Perth, the seventh-ranked Williams opened her season with a three-set win over Lucie Safarova and said she still had the desire to regain the top world ranking.

"Of course, I want to be No. 1 and I want to win Grand Slams," said Williams, who has already won eight Grand Slam titles. "I wouldn't be out there if I didn't have those goals."

Williams thrashed Safarova in the first set 6-0 thanks to her big serves and powerful ground strokes. But she lost her range in the second and the 23rd-ranked Safarova fought back, forcing a deciding third set.

The 26-year-old American's experience then came into play and she showed her trademark grit to secure victory, 6-0, 2-6, 7-5.

The Group B tie was decided when an ailing Tomas Berdych was forced to withdraw from the mixed doubles against Williams and partner Mardy Fish, giving the US an unbeatable 2-0 lead.

Fish was given a walkover in the men's singles, completing the 3-0 sweep.

The Americans are now in prime position to reach Friday's final, having beaten India in their opening tie on Saturday when Meghann Shaughnessy filled in for Williams, who delayed her arrival here because of illness.

In the third set, the 20-year-old Safarova was up a break leading 4-2 and had a game point on her own serve for a 5-2 lead.

But Williams broke back to 4-3 and broke again in the 11th game when Safarova pushed a forehand wide for 6-5, before serving the match out.

Williams -- who teamed with James Blake to win the Hopman Cup in 2003 -- said she was disappointed with her form, but pleased to post a win.

"Lucie's a very good player -- I wasn't feeling really motivated and I felt like I wasn't moving at all," Williams said. "I was able to pick up my game at the right time. She had a chance to go 5-2 and I was able to bring it through. That is really satisfying and very pleasing."

■ MEN'S HARDCOURT

AFP, ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA

Fifth seed Radek Stepanek retired from his opening round match at the Australian men's hardcourt tennis championship at Memorial Drive yesterday with a heel injury.

The Czech bowed out to Australian wildcard Joe Sirianni while trailing 6-7 (3/7), 3-4 and down a break in the second set, citing a right heel problem.

The former world No. 8 told reporters he did not pull out of the match because of the fierce heat, with temperatures hovering around 42oC.

"Definitely, it's the hottest tournament I've ever played but it's different. Some in the [United] States, in Washington, you have very high humidity, here it's very dry," he said. "Guys are coming in here and a couple of them are already sick or injured. On the court it can be around 50oC, so definitely it's maybe too much."

Stepanek was not the only seed to crash out on yesterday's first day, with seventh-seeded Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro beaten 6-3, 6-3 by American Michael Russell.

Elsewhere, American Sam Querry eliminated Belgian Steve Darcis, 7-5, 6-4 and Germany's Benjamin Becker ousted Australian Robert Smeets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

■ WOMEN'S HARDCOURT

AFP, GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA

Italy's Tathiana Garbin shocked No. 2 seed Nadia Petrova of Russia 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Australian women's hardcourt tennis tournament yesterday.

Garbin reached the semi-finals of this event last year only to withdraw with breathing difficulties when leading Martina Hingis 4-3 in the first set.

But she had no such problem against Petrova as she chased down almost every shot and used her court coverage to overcome the powerful Russian.

It was her first win over Petrova in five encounters.

"I feel like I didn't finish the tournament last year," Garbin said. "To come back here and win this first round match was very tough because Nadia is one of the best players in the world. I'm proud of myself today."

Eighth seed Hungarian Agnes Szavay was also a first-round loser, bowing out to qualifying "lucky loser" Yuliana Fedak of Ukraine.

Fedak only made the main draw when countrywoman Julia Vakulenko withdrew injured at the last minute, but came back from losing the first set to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Defending champion and third seed Dinara Safina of Russia escaped a similar fate when she struggled past Australian-based Slovakian Jarmila Gajdosova 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.

■ AUCKLAND CLASSIC

AFP, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND

Lindsay Davenport continued her tennis comeback with an easy win in the first round of the Auckland Classic women's tournament yesterday and said she believed she would keep getting better.

The unseeded Davenport had little trouble disposing of fellow American Laura Granville, 6-2, 6-3.

Davenport's second round opponent will be fifth seed Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, who beat Nicole Pratt of Australia 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.

The one seeded player to fall in the first round was France's Emilie Loit, the eighth seed who lost in straight sets to Ashley Harkleroad of the US, 6-4, 6-1.