PERTH, Jan 4: Former champions Russia got off to a solid start in the Hopman Cup on Sunday, beating Italy 2-1 in the mixed team event with straight-sets singles wins.

The brother and sister pairing of Marat Safin and Dinara Safina got the better of Simone Bolelli and Flavia Pennetta in the Group ‘B’ singles matches before losing out in the doubles.

Sporting two black eyes picked up in a fight in Moscow, Safin used his big serve to overcome a stuttering Bolelli 7-6 6-4, while world number three Safina won six successive games in the second set to beat Pennetta 7-5, 6-3.

With the tie already decided, Italy salvaged some pride by coming back from a set down to clinch the doubles match 7-5, 4-6, 6-7 after a final set tiebreak.

The Russians on Wednesday face Taiwanese pair Hsieh Su-Wei and Lu Yen-Hsun, who lost 3-0 in their opening group encounter with France’s Alize Cornet and Gilles Simon.

Group ‘A’ matches start on Monday, when hosts Australia take on Germany and five-time winners the United States meet Slovakia.

Results:

Russia beat Italy 2-1 (Dinara Safina bt Flavia Pennetta 7-5, 6-3; Marat Safin bt Simone Bolelli 7-6, 6-4; Pennetta/Bolelli bt Safina/Safin 5-7, 6-4, 7-6).—Reuters