Spain eased past hosts Australia to book their place in the final of the Hopman Cup yesterday following emphatic singles victories by Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Tommy Robredo.

Martinez Sanchez trounced Sam Stosur 6-4 6-1 before Robredo outplayed Lleyton Hewitt 6-2 6-4 as Spain finished top of Group A with a perfect record of three wins out of three.

Spain, winners of the mixed team event in 1990 and 2002, will take on the winners of the other round-robin group. With one match remaining apiece, Britain lead the race in Group B although Russia and Kazakhstan remain in contention.

Australia had to win every set to reach the final but their slim hopes were dashed almost immediately when Martinez Sanchez won the first set against Stosur.

In yesterday's other Group A match, American Melanie Oudin beat Romania's Sorana Cirstea 6-2 6-3, but an injury to Victor Hanescu meant the rest of the tie was cancelled with the US awarded a 3-0 victory.

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