Venus Williams lifted the United States to victory in their Hopman Cup tie against France yesterday.

The USA pairing of Williams and John Isner beat the French team of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Mathilde Johansson 2-1 to remain unbeaten in the mixed tennis tournament, but only after a remarkable comeback led by Williams when the Americans twice appeared on the brink of defeat.

After Tsonga beat an out-of-form Isner in straight sets, Williams looked down and out when she dropped the first set to Johannson and trailed 4-1 in the second.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion was all at sea against the 87th-ranked Johansson, appearing restricted in her movement and lacking the usual power in her game. But just when the cause looked lost, the world number 24 climbed off the canvas to win in three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Johansson was breaking the Williams serve almost at will for most of the first two sets, but the American found her service range just in the nick of time and turned the match on its head.

The Americans then claimed the tie with a 6-7, 6-2, 10-8 win in a match tiebreak in the mixed doubles, where Williams again lifted them to victory as Isner continued to struggle with his game.