December 30, 2002	Monday	Shawwal 25, 1423

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PERTH, Dec 29: Lleyton Hewitt made a triumphant return to the Hopman Cup on Sunday, defeating Davide Sanguinetti in his opening match 12 months after a bout of chickenpox ruined his Hopman hopes and scuppered his Australian Open chances.

Again partnering Alicia Molik in the ITF season-opening event, Hewitt’s 6-3 6-1 victory clinched victory for second-seeded Australia in the Group B match against the Italians after Molik had earlier beaten Silvia Farina Elia 6-3 6-4 to put the hosts on the road to victory.

Not even an electrical storm which caused a 55-minute blackout midway through the match nor a stringing blunder by tournament staff could deflect Hewitt from his goal and he wrapped up the win in 61 minutes at the Burswood Dome.

Keeping errors to a minimum was a major achievement, the Australian said, after tournament stringers had strung his rackets in an unfamiliar fashion.

But a power surge at the end of the first set caused a blackout and during this time Hewitt had his rackets restrung to his own specifications.

Certainly Hewitt moved better than Sanguinetti who twisted his ankle heavily in the opening set and required court side treatment from a trainer.

The Australians were awarded a walkover in the mixed doubles and a 3-0 victory when Sanguinetti chose to rest his ankle.

In the opening match Molik turned the world rankings on their head to beat Farina Elia at number 17 ranked 77 places above her with some attacking tennis at the indoor arena.

Twelve months ago Australia’s hopes were ended when Hewitt was felled by chickenpox in the Western Australian city.

Both players are keen to make amends this time.

In Sunday’s evening session the third-seeded Czech Republic took an early lead over the Slovak Republic in the second Group B match of the opening day when Daja Bedanova beat Daniela Hantuchova 3-6 6-4 6-1.

Bedanova fought back from a set and 4-2 down to beat the popular Slovak. Jiri Novak can seal a Czech win when he plays Dominik Hrbaty later on Sunday.

Top seeds the United States open their campaign against Uzbekistan on Monday when Serena Williams and James Blake take on Iroda Tulyaganova and Oleg Ogorodov.

The Belgian side of Kim Clijsters and Xavier Malisse open against champions Spain, comprising Tommy Robredo and Virginia Ruano Pascual, also on Monday.

Results: