Kuznetsova seeks Hopman lift

The Hopman Cup gives Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova the opportunity to re-ignite her career after a disappointing 2005.

She must do it without her expected partner Marat Safin, however, after the Australian Open champion withdrew due to a knee injury.

Kuznetsova teams up with little-known Teimuraz Gabashvili, the Georgian-born 20-year-old who has won a mere $135,000 in his career.

Gabashvili, the world number 132, beat US Open quarter-finalist James Blake last season and is no stranger to Kuznetsova who began last year ranked fifth before dropping to 18th.

"I know Teimuraz well, speak to him most days and would be delighted to play with him, as he is improving quickly," said Kuznetsova who, like her partner, trains in Barcelona.

The mixed team competition, often referred to as an exhibition although it is fully sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation, has attracted most of the world's top players over the last 17 years.

This year's event lacks big names but still features emerging talents alongside experienced ones such as Nicolas Kiefer and Lisa Raymond.

They include the half-sister of 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, Michaela, who became the world's number one junior after winning the singles and doubles titles at the 2004 US Open.

Krajicek qualified last year with partner Peter Wessels at the expense of Zimbabwe, and the Dutch pair face China in today's qualifying round.

Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld is another rising talent, earning her first win over a top-10 opponent when she defeated Nadia Petrova in Luxembourg. The promising Ana Ivanovic represents Serbia and Montenegro with Novak Djokovic.

The experienced Raymond partners Taylor Dent for the US, and Kiefer teams up with Groenefeld for Germany.

Sweden's Thomas Johansson, the 2002 Australian Open champion, partners 21-year-old Sofia Arvidsson.

The field is completed by host nation Australia, represented by veteran Wayne Arthurs and emerging Samantha Stosur, and 2005 runners-up Argentina for whom Gisela Dulko plays alongside former French Open champion Gaston Gaudio.