PERTH (Australia), Oct 5: Tatiana Golovin will spearhead the French challenge for a breakthrough victory at the Hopman Cup mixed-team in December, the organisers said.

The Russian-born 19-year-old will partner the flamboyant Gael Monfils in search of France’s first victory in the unique, one-million-dollar (890,000 US) tournament starting on Dec 29.

The talented Golovin, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2004 aged 16, is ranked 19th in the world, while the 21-year-old Monfils has dropped from a career-high 23rd to 44th.

France, which took part in the inaugural Hopman Cup in 1989, is yet to win the tournament in 14 attempts. Golovin used the tournament as preparation for the Australian Open, where she enjoyed her best grand slam of an injury-hampered year by reaching the third round.—AFP