United States and Belgium in Hopman Cup Final Showdown

Yesterday proved even more exciting than the day before at the 2011 Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia. Novak Djokovic brought the Serbian team into the finals, but today Ana Ivanovic’s doctors expressed concern over a minor stomach strain (that should only take a few days to heal—she is still expected to compete in the Australia Open) and forced the team to forfeit its place in the finals. The runner-up team, Belgium, is slated to take the team’s place.

The US team earned its place in Saturday’s final after Bethanie Mattek-Sands beat Great Britain’s Laura Robson in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. Mattek-Sands has been making waves and impressing tennis fans, as the 58th-ranked American player has been beating top 20 players, helping bring the US to the Hopman final for the first time since Mardy Fish and Serena Williams won the title in 2008.

John Isner and Mattek-Sands will take on Belgium’s seven-time Slam winner, Justine Henin, and her partner Ruben Bemelmans this Saturday.

''It's my first year and I'm in the final, so I'm pumped,” Mattek-Sands remarked.

And speaking about her singles match with the former No. 1 Henin, she said, “I'm pumped actually for that match as well. I've never played her so I'm actually really excited to do it. I think she has a great game and obviously plays aggressive like me, so I'm excited."

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