Robredo sinks Ancic as Spain see off Croatia

Spain's Tommy Robredo and Anabel Medina Garrigues outclassed their Croatian opposition in the Hopman Cup by completing a 3-0 sweep of Mario and Sanja Ancic at the Burswood Dome yesterday.

Medina Garrigues drew first blood for the Spaniards with a two-set win before world number seven Robredo recovered to beat the ninth-ranked Mario Ancic 3-6 7-5 6-3. The duo then combined to win the dead mixed doubles rubber 6-4 6-2.

A single break was enough for Ancic to claim the opening set but Robredo battled back and levelled the match with a stooping volley to break the Croat in the 12th game of the second.

An increasingly confident Robredo, who smashed ten aces, made the crucial break in the sixth game of the decider before wrapping up victory in two hours and four minutes.

Robredo, winner of the Hamburg Masters last year, said his game improved as the match, featuring the two highest-ranked players in the tournament, went on.

"I just tried to recover and be a bit more aggressive. I got my rhythm and I could finally win the second and the third," he said.

"He's an unbelievable player indoors, beating him here it's a pretty good start to the year. To start with a victory is always nice. I just need to keep focus and hopefully I can keep playing like this all year."

Earlier, world number 27 Medina Garrigues showed no sign of a New Year hangover as she used her superior mobility and court speed to see off the 18-year-old Ancic 6-3 6-1.

"It's difficult for me to play in front of all these people, it's a lot of pressure," Medina Garrigues said in a courtside interview.

"I've only played before this many people maybe four or five times. But this is good for me, it will improve my tennis."

Medina Garrigues took full advantage of a nervy performance from Ancic, breaking in the opening game, courtesy of the first of five double faults from the Croat, and again in the ninth to clinch the first set 6-3 in 34 minutes.

The 24-year-old Spaniard, a winner of two titles in 2006, broke Ancic twice and blasted three consecutive aces in the fifth game to go 5-0 up in the second before wrapping up victory with her second match point in an hour and three minutes.

The Spaniards' all-round superiority was confirmed in the mixed doubles when they triumphed in just 69 minutes.

The victory put Spain top of the Group B standings ahead of India on match scores.