Hopman Cup 2015: USA vs. Poland Preview and Predictions
Serena Williams will look for her record third Hopman Cup title when she and USA teammate John Isner take on Poland in the final of the 2015 edition on Saturday.
The world No. 1 has had an up-and-down week in Perth, but she finally looked like her old self again in a big win over the Czech Republic, clinching a ticket to the final in the process.
Poland are regulars when it comes to the Hopman Cup final, and they'll go in with momentum on their side after their epic match against defending champions France.
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Preview
Both teams clinched their spot in the tournament showpiece during their final match, with Poland needing to win at least one rubber against France, while the USA required a sweep of the Czech Republic.
As shared by The West Australian's Bridget Lacy, it shouldn't come as a major shock they both pulled it off, looking at their history in the tournament:
The big story coming out of Perth has undoubtedly been Williams' struggles early in the tournament, dropping a set against Italy's Flavia Pennetta before losing her clash against Canada's Eugenie Bouchard.
It was the first time the 20-year-old had beaten the current world No. 1. In her post-match press conference, she jokingly suggested her opponent was perhaps in need of another coffee, via BBC Sport:
All joking aside, Williams' lack of form is worrying. The USA finished the group stages by sweeping the Czech Republic, but Williams needed three sets to get past Lucie Safarova, an opponent who wouldn't worry the 33-year-old when in top form.
Luckily, big-serving John Isner has had no such struggles. He dropped a close rubber against Vasek Pospisil and predictably lost to Andy Murray, but his form has been steadily growing throughout the tournament, and he's arguably been the top performer in mixed doubles.
The 29-year-old also matches up well against Jerzy Janowicz, who needed far too many chances to put away France's Benoit Paire to blast Poland into the final on Friday, per the tournament's official Twitter feed:
The USA have yet to lose in mixed doubles, and while the women's matchup of Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska could go either way given the former's lack of form, you have to like Isner's chances of setting up the team for another triumph in the doubles.
Williams has never lost a Hopman Cup final—don't expect that to change on Saturday.
Final prediction: USA 2-1 Poland
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