Spain sweeps Australia, enters Hopman finals

PERTH, Australia – Spain secured a place in the final of the Hopman Cup with a clean sweep of Australia on Thursday, with the host nation also concerned by an injury suffered by former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt.

Australia needed to win each of Thursday’s matches in straight sets to have a chance of reaching Saturday’s final but their hopes ended when Samantha Stosur was beaten, 6-4, 6-1, by Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

Spain went on to take the men’s singles, in which Tommy Robredo beat Hewitt, 6-2, 6-4, and mixed doubles.

Hewitt, ranked No. 22, was troubled by a lower back injury during the first set. He appeared in pain as he served five double faults in his first two service games and called for medical attention after dropping the opening set in 37 minutes.

Hewitt moved more freely in the second set, after receiving a lengthy rubdown, and held serve in his first four service games before Robredo claimed a single and decisive break in the ninth game. (AP)