CoCo leads US to Hopman Cup win

PERTH, Australia: World number 10 CoCo Vandeweghe launched her new season in impressive fashion as the United States beat Russia 2-1 on the opening day of the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth on Saturday.

Vandeweghe gave her team the early lead in the tie with a straight-sets win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, before Jack Sock secured victory for the Americans by beating Karen Khachanov in three sets.

The Russians then won the mixed doubles dead rubber in three sets under the Fast4 format.

The American pair are aiming to go one better after losing to French duo Richard Gasquet and Kristina Mladenovic in the tournament final in January this year.

Vandeweghe built on her Hopman Cup success at the start of the year to have a breakout season, reaching two Grand Slam finals — at the Australian and US Opens — and helping the United States to victory in the Fed Cup in November.

She was too powerful for the 15th-ranked Pavlyu-chenkova, sealing the win with a trademark forehand winner.

The 26-year-old said she was delighted to be starting her campaign in Perth, and hoped it would be the launching pad again for success in 2018.