World number three Novak Djokovic led Serbia into its second Hopman Cup final at the mixed teams tournament yesterday.
The Serbian pairing of Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic lost their final round match to Belgium’s Justine Henin and Ruben Bemelmans, but still topped Group A.
The Belgians had to clean sweep the tie to edge past the Serbs and into the final, and Henin gave them the perfect start by beating Ivanovic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.
However, the in-form Djokovic kept his hopes of leading his country to its second team tennis title in as many months alive with a 6-3, 6-2 win over the 178th-ranked Bemelmans, securing Serbia’s place in tomorrow’s final.
The Belgians won the mixed doubles rubber but it was too late to change the result.
Djokovic, who guided Serbia to an historic Davis Cup triumph in December, was far too good for Bemelmans and will have his second shot at Hopman Cup glory, having been beaten in the final in 2008 by the USA.
The 23-year-old said his team were determined to claim the diamond-encrusted tennis balls presented to the winners.
“We are really playing well both of us,” he said.
“We have a good chance to win the trophy. Three years ago I played finals here with (Jelena) Jankovic and we were just close to making the title.
“This time we are really eager to win and get those balls.”
Henin’s comeback from an elbow injury continued when she was too good for the 17th-ranked Ivanovic in a clash between two former world number ones.
It continued her almost unblemished record against the 2008 French Open champion, having dropped just one set in notching six wins against the Serbian starlet.
Henin’s trademark groundstrokes have improved with each outing in Perth and she won all three of her round robin singles matches.
It was fitting that she cracked a dazzling forehand winner past Ivanovic on match point.
Henin said her plan was to get Ivanovic out of her comfort zone to blunt the Serb’s imposing forehand.
“I just tried to put a lot of pressure on her backhand, tried to play a bit more down the line also,” she said.
“On the return, I think it was the key of the match just to put a lot of pressure and come to the net.”