January 06, 2008	Sunday	Zilhaj 26, 1428

PERTH, Jan 5: Americans Serena Williams and Mardy Fish head to the Australian Open brimming with confidence after securing the United States’ fourth Hopman Cup in six years here.

The US pair won the mixed doubles on Friday to clinch the Cup 2-1 after the Americans were boosted by the withdrawal of Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic from the singles with a thigh injury.

Serena said she was delighted with her preparations to defend her Australian Open title despite arriving late for the Hopman Cup because of illness and playing only two of her four scheduled singles matches.

“I had two really good matches and some great doubles matches,” Serena stated. “I have had four matches under my belt and the doubles are really just as intense, if not more, than the singles.

“I feel like I am really match fit and ready. It is nine days until the tournament starts and I will be ready,” she added of the first Grand Slam of the season starting on Jan 14.

Serena, ranked 86th when she defied the odds to win last year’s title and spark a career revival, has elected to skip lead-up tournaments this week, preferring to concentrate on practicing in Melbourne.

Currently ranked seven in the world, Serena appeared in top condition during the Hopman Cup, with tennis legend Martina Navratilova saying she had never seen Serena look fitter.

Fish, ranked 39 in the world, was also riding high despite losing here to No.3 Novak Djokovic.

Fish, who won his other singles match, said he took heart from pushing hard one of the game’s rising stars in a tough three-setter.

He reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 Australian Open for a career-best performance on the back of his Hopman Cup debut last year. And the American said he was now playing even better.

“I feel like I have got another year of experience under my belt,” he said. “I came to the Australian Open last year and beat (Croatia’s Ivan) Ljubicic, who was four in the world.

“I came out here and played Novak pretty tight today (Friday) and it could have gone either way. I feel comfortable being down here and to get four (singles) matches before Sydney is nice.”

Fish rounds out his Australian Open preparation in Sydney at the Medibank International.

Jankovic’s plans are up in the air after her injury woes here.

She strained a thigh muscle on Wednesday, but still fronted for three mixed doubles matches in as many days and admitted she was risking serious damage by playing on.

Jankovic, who underwent nasal surgery in November, hobbled around the court on each occasion, although she seemed to be moving slightly more freely in the final. The 22-year-old was due to play in Sydney this week, but said she would delay a decision to see how her thigh responded to treatment.—AFP