Italy stun France in Hopman Cup comeback upset

PERTH - Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Flavia Pennetta staged an upset against France’s Gilles Simon and Alize Cornet at the Hopman Cup’s mixed doubles Tuesday, earning a 2-1 victory which keeps both teams in with a chance to reach the Friday final.

The untried Italian pair surprised off-the-boil Simon and Cornet 6-4, 7-6.

France had been a pre-event favourite for a possible sweep into the final at the eight-nation team competition, but didn’t reckon on the consistency of their Italian opposition.

‘We had our chances but they played better today,’ said Cornet. ‘We’re disappointed but we still have a chance to go into the final.’

Bolelli scored a breakthrough victory over world number seven Simon 6-3, 6-3 to draw his nation level 1-1 after French number one Cornet dominated Pennetta 7-5, 6-2 in their singles.

The 38th-ranked Bolelli found a seam of form to stop Simon, who beat Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic last season.

Simon said he may have over-trained. ‘I wasn’t moving like usual. I worked a lot in the last days and I got tired. I will rest for Russia (Thursday). I need my legs to play well.’

Bolelli played what he called the match of his career to salvage the tie. ‘I finally won against a top ten player, it’s the first time,’ said the delighted Italian. ‘I played well, served very good and played aggressive.

‘I missed a few balls but it was almost perfect for me.’

Simon was well off his game, striking 22 unforced errors and losing serve four times.

‘After winning the first set, I had confidence,’ said Bolelli. ‘I played good tactics. I know that I have the game to play well against top guys.’

Cornet had some trouble breathing in the first set, but the 19-year-old laughed it off, saying she was still adjusting to the Australian summer heat after arriving from winter in France.

‘I was feeling my breathing in the whole match, sometimes I forget to breath properly,’ she said, ‘But it’s completely normal, don’t worry.’

In the night tie, Australia were facing the Slovak Republic with the host nation needing a victory to have any outside chance of reaching the Friday final after a 2-1 defeat Monday against Germany.