Venus Williams to make Hopman Cup debut

Updated September 19, 2012 15:17:14

Venus Williams will make her Hopman Cup debut in Perth later this year, partnering John Isner to represent the United States in the mixed international tournament.

Seven-times grand slam champion Williams will have a chance to match her sister Serena, who won the tournament in 2008 with Mardy Fish and five years earlier with James Blake.

"I've never been to Perth - I've never played the Hopman Cup, so for me it's going to be a wonderful experience," Williams said in a media release.

"I've watched it literally every year on TV so now I get to play, I'm very excited."

World number 10 Isner won the title in 2011 with Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who stands at 1.68m tall to his 2.06m and Williams' 1.85m.

"My previous two partners have been very, very small," said Isner.

"But Venus is a little bit taller so I'm not going to look like such a giant out there. She's obviously one of the greatest players ever so I think our team has a good shot to do well."

Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic have already been confirmed as the Serbia pairing for the event, which will take place from December 29 to January 5 at the new Perth Arena.

Reuters

Tags: tennis, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted September 19, 2012 15:17:14

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Peers to debut in Fed Cup

Posted April 12, 2011 20:36:00

Young Victorian Sally Peers will make her Fed Cup debut for Australia in this weekend's World Group playoff tie against Ukraine in Melbourne.

With Sam Stosur and Jelena Dokic withdrawing from the clash, Peers has been given her chance.

The world number 145 will join Jarmila Groth (number 30), Anastasia Rodionova (number 72) and Sophie Ferguson (number 129) for the tie to be played this Saturday and Sunday.

The 19-year-old Peers says she is honoured to be in the Fed Cup team.

"I know how much all the girls want to win and I hope I can play my part in helping them get there," she said.

"It will be great to represent my country surrounded by my family and friends and I hope all of Melbourne gets behind the team as we compete to return to the World Group this weekend."

Australia's world number five Stosur pulled out of the Fed Cup team to focus on the French Open, while Dokic withdrew due to "exhaustion", saying she planned to take a break to recover.

This will be the first time Melbourne has hosted a Fed Cup tie since 1988 and the first tie Australia has ever staged on clay.

- AAP

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