Andy Murray and Heather Watson established themselves among the favourites to win the Hopman Cup mixed-team event with their opening victory over France but the success of the British pair’s week here will be determined more by their performances than their results.
“You want to try to play well but also it’s a chance with the Australian Open in a couple of weeks to work on things, to see how the things that you have been practising on translate on to the match court,” said Murray, who faces Australia’s Nick Kyrgios tomorrow and the exciting young German Alexander Zverev on Friday.
Watson, who will face Daria Gavrilova and Sabine Lisicki in her next two singles matches, lost 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to Caroline Garcia. However, the 23-year-old played well in the deciding mixed doubles alongside Murray as they beat Kenny De Schepper and Garcia 6-2, 5-7, 10-6.
Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova (forearm) and Simona Halep (Achilles) withdrew from the Brisbane International today but both expect to recover for the Australian Open.
