Hopman Cup 2016: Dates, Draw Schedule, Live Stream and Predictions
The 2016 Hopman Cup gets under way on Sunday, as eight mixed teams from seven nations descend on Perth, Australia, looking to pick up the coveted crown.
Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska and Jerzy Janowicz took home the trophy last time around after defeating USA in the final, but the pair won’t be defending their title this year—blowing the tournament wide open.
Here, we take a look at the full draw for the 2016 Hopman Cup and dive into how the competition could play out.
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| Teams | Australia Gold | Czech Republic | Ukraine | USA |
| Men | Leyton Hewitt | Jiri Vesely | Alexandr Dolgopolov | Jack Sock |
| Women | Jarmila Gajdosova | Karolina Pliskova | Elina Svitolina | Serena Williams |
| Teams | Australia Green | France | Germany | Great Britain |
| Men | Nick Kyrgios | Kenny De Schepper | Alexander Zverev | Andy Murray |
| Women | Daria Gavrilova | Caroline Garcia | Sabine Lisicki | Heather Watson |
| Date | Time (AWST) | Fixture | Prediction | Live Stream |
| January 3 | 5:30 p.m. | Australia Gold vs. Czech Republic | 2-1 | 7mate Live |
| January 4 | 10 a.m. | Ukraine vs. USA | 0-3 | 7mate Live |
| January 5 | 10 a.m. | Czech Republic vs. Ukraine | 1-2 | 7mate Live |
| January 5 | 5:30 p.m. | Australia Gold vs. USA | 1-2 | 7mate Live |
| January 7 | 10 a.m. | Australia Gold vs. Ukraine | 3-0 | 7mate Live |
| January 7 | 5:30 p.m. | Czech Republic vs. USA | 1-2 | 7mate Live |
| Date | Time | Fixture | Prediction | Live Stream |
| January 3 | 10 a.m. | Australia Green vs. Germany | 2-1 | 7mate Live |
| January 4 | 5:30 p.m. | Great Britain vs. France | 3-0 | 7mate Live |
| January 6 | 10 a.m. | France vs. Germany | 1-2 | 7mate Live |
| January 6 | 5:30 p.m. | Australia Green vs. Great Britain | 1-2 | 7mate Live |
| January 8 | 10 a.m. | Great Britain vs. Germany | 2-1 | 7mate Live |
| January 8 | 5:30 p.m. | Australia Green vs. France | 2-1 | 7mate Live |
The Hopman Cup final will be played on January 9 at 3:30 p.m. AWST between the winners of Group A and the winners of Group B.
Great Britain Looking for First Hopman Cup Triumph
The Hopman Cup hasn’t exactly been a happy stomping ground for Great Britain, with just one final appearance to their name since the inaugural tournament in 1989.
That came in 2010, when Laura Robson and Andy Murray were defeated by Spain at the final hurdle. But Murray is back with Heather Watson and hungry for success.
The pair came close to qualifying for the final last year, as they narrowly lost out to Poland in the group stage to be consigned to second place.
Murray won all three of his singles matches last year, yet the duo struggled together during the mixed-doubles ties.
However, the Scot believes his relationship with Watson will stand them in good stead heading into the tournament—via the official Hopman Cup website:
"I’ve actually played some really good tennis all the years that I’ve been here. Hopefully this year we can do a little bit better in the mixed doubles. Mixed doubles we don’t really get to play at all throughout the rest of the year. I only played mixed at this event in 2015, so you don’t really get to practice as much. But I know Heather a little bit better and I think the more you know someone, that tends to help the partnership.
"
Still, the Brits face a tough task emerging from Group B, with the likes of Australia Green’s Nick Kyrgios and Germany’s Sabine Lisicki to negotiate.
Over in Group A, the USA pairing of Jack Sock and Serena Williams will be looking for a route past Australia Gold, Czech Republic and Ukraine.
Williams lost out in the final last year alongside John Isner, but Sock’s ability in doubles could give the USA an advantage this time around.
All eyes will be on Australia Gold’s Lleyton Hewitt, though, as he plays his last ever Hopman Cup before retirement.
The two-time Grand Slam winner kicks off the tournament on Sunday against Jiri Vesely of Czech Republic, and he told beIN Sports that he’s looking to go out with a bang:
"Even though I have only got a month to go on the playing circuit, I still want to get the most out of myself and push myself to the limit. It's obviously in the back of the mind with everything you do, you try to enjoy it—soak up the atmosphere and the places as much as possible. But until you get out there on the match court I don't know how you really deal with it. For me, I am such a competitor anyway and I am still going out there, trying to lay it all on the line and put on a pretty good show.
"
Hewitt still has plenty to offer on the big stage, and alongside Jarmila Gajdosova he could well produce the goods once again.
It’s all set up to be a tense and exciting tournament in Perth, with the three-set, three-match format bound to throw up some dramatic, thrilling matches.
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