Aussies fail in doubles encounter

Germany have come from behind to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Australia in the first group match played at Hopman Cup XVIII as the clash went down to a final doubles rubber.

The Australian team of Wayne Arthurs and Samantha Stosur were highly favoured to take the 'live' doubles encounter, with the two having very strong records in the doubles game.

Arthurs has won 12 doubles titles in his career, whilst Stosur is ranked as the second best doubles player in the world and won the US Open alongside American Lisa Raymond and the mixed doubles at the Australian Open with Scott Draper.

Despite their credentials, the home crowd favourites went down two sets to one, with the Germans clinching the third and final set 10-8.

After Nicolas Keifer was broken in the first game of the first set, the Germans were in trouble and Australia rammed home the advantage to earn a 6-4 lead and wrap up the first set inside 33 minutes.

However, the Europeans fought back hard and won the second 6-3, before wrapping the match with a thrilling third set victory.

Earlier in the day, it was Samantha Stosur who gave the Aussies a 1-0 lead, with a sensational performance to defeat Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-3 and 7-5.

When serving, Groenefeld was put immense pressure whilst in stark contrast Stosur completed her serve with consummate ease, and went through the game un-broken.

Stosur hit five aces in a frenetic opening set, with her powerful serving game matched by a selection of sweet winners.

In the second set, with the score locked at 4-4, Stosur had four break points after two double faults from Groenefeld but the German recovered to clinch the game, thanks to some big serves.

Groenefeld continued to struggle with her serve and with the score at 5-5, she was finally broken by the Queenslander.

Stosur, who was serving for the match, saw her opponent save four match points - one with a spectacular return down the line - before she clinched the match when Groenefeld powered a return into the net.

An elated Stosur told ABC Television how pleased she was to get the victory.

"I was a bit nervous before the match, but I'm just happy to get through the match with a victory" Stosur said.

"It's a good feeling to win the first one and get it out of the way, and now hopefully I can win the remainder of my matches".

When asked about the new Hawkeye Technology used to make line calls, Stosur said it was a fantastic innovation.

"I think it's a great technology, it gives you a chance to dispute a call and it only takes a few seconds, so I think it can be only great for the game" she said.

In the men's singles clash, Keifer disposed of Arthurs with the ease, with the hard-hitting German winning in straight sets 6-3 6-4.

Kiefer, ranked 23rd in the world showed why is rated so highly, with a superb display of power-hitting, as the German smashed 30 winners compared to Arthurs' 11.

Kiefer was very happy as he told ABC Television after the match.

"I am very happy, I had a long break so I was unsure on how I would go today" Keifer said.

"I felt good in practice during the week, so it was great to come out and play well today. The most important thing was to get a win, and I achieved that today" he remarked.

Next up, Germany tackle Argentina on Wednesday in what is sure to be a classic match, whilst the Aussie duo of Arthurs and Stosur face the Netherlands on Tuesday.

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