Although they always had great contestants who would battle for the big prizes, the French squad has lacked those fierce competitors who would cross the finish line victorious. This year marked a change of fortune for France who finally put forth a winning combo to lift its first ever Hopman Cup. A success-hungry Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and the always talented Alize Cornet cruised through a star-studded field in Perth to take home the crown.
The French duo came through a tough group, dismissing three solid tandems: Americans Sloane Stephens and John Isner, Spaniards Anabel Medina-Garriguez and Daniel Munoz de la Nava, respectively Czech lovebirds Petra Kvitova and Radek Stepanek.
Tsonga has been the powerhouse behind the team, winning all of his singles battles. Although she lost some of her singles clashes, Alize did a brilliant job backing up Jo to win the decisive mixed matches. That proved essential, especially in the final against Poland, which was won after the French duo crushed Agnieszka Radwanska and Grzegorz Panfil 6-0,6-2 in the mixed rubber.
Tsonga endured a miserable 2013, missing out on a golden opportunity at Roland Garros, before injuring his knee at Wimbledon to be sidelined for most of the remaining months. The triumph marks a great start to the next season for Jo-Wilfried, whose confidence was shaken after the aforementioned miserable period. This week should give him a much needed boost ahead of the Australian Open. Go Tsonga, win that elusive Slam!
Alize on the other hand, experienced a solid 2013, displaying some of her best tennis to claim the title in Strasbourg. The victory in Perth should help her strengthen her credentials as one of the leading ladies on the women's tour.
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| Alize and Jo-Wilfried found love on the tennis courts in Perth, combining their efforts to claim France's first Hopman Cup. The French duo came through a star-studded field in Perth, defeating teams from the US, Spain, Czech Republic, and Poland. |
photos: GETTY IMAGES
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