Russia out of Hopman Cup as Safin loses again

Top seeds Russia suffered a humiliating early exit from the Hopman Cup yesterday as a leg-weary Marat Safin was beaten for the second time in three days in their 2-1 defeat by Argentina.

The world number four, beaten by Tommy Haas in Russia's opening match defeat by Germany, lost 7-6 6-1 to Guillermo Coria and Argentina wrapped up victory when Coria and Gisela Dulko beat Safin and Anastasia Myskina 6-2 6-0 in the mixed doubles.

"It just wasn't my day today," Safin said. "I wasn't fast enough, not sharp enough.

"Gisela was even returning my serve very well which was kind of embarrassing but I'll have to live with that and hope things get better for the Australian Open."

Myskina had earlier beaten Dulko 6-2 6-1 to put Russia ahead but Safin's rustiness and some fine play by the Argentine pair secured victory for the fourth seeds and left Russia unable to qualify for Saturday's final.

The winner of today's match between Argentina and Germany will decide who progresses to the final as the winner of Group A of the eight-team round-robin event.

Suffering from jet-lag when he was beaten by Haas, Safin had been hoping for an improved performance but with Coria looking close to his best, the Russian struggled to make an impression.

A few bullet-like backhands were the only signs of the Safin who climbed back to number four in the world rankings after a superb 2004, but his legs appeared heavy and his forehand offered up a host of errors.

Meanwhile, Australia's chances of reaching the final from Group B suffered a blow as an injury to Mark Philippoussis saw them hand the Netherlands a 2-1 victory.

Alicia Molik fought off an impressive challenge from 15-year-old Michaella Krajicek 6-3 7-5 to put the hosts ahead.

But Philippoussis slumped to his second consecutive defeat as he was beaten 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-2 by Peter Wessels, ranked 20 places above him at number 89.

The Australian had treatment on an adductor strain at 3-0 down in the third set and Wessels, who also suffered from a sore chest muscle, ran out a convincing winner.

After consulting with medical staff, Philippoussis decided he was not fit to play in the deciding mixed doubles, handing the Dutch victory.

Today one of the finalists will be decided as Argentina meet Germany in a Group A showdown, with both nations having won their opening two matches.

The United States, who opened the defence of their title with victory over the Netherlands, take on the Slovak Republic in their second Group B match.

¤ The organisers of women's tennis have clinched a landmark sponsorship deal worth a record $88 million with mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson. The six-year deal, unveiled yesterday, is the largest and most comprehensive sponsorship in the history of tennis and of women's professional sport, the WTA said.