2019 in Review: Serena vs. Federer; Venus defeats Vika; Murray returns

Roger Federer and Serena Williams were among the many big names on court on New Year’s Day, both winning singles matches at the Hopman Cup before clashing in a much-anticipated mixed doubles match.

Federer began Switzerland’s tie with the United States with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Frances Tiafoe, reeling off seven games in a row from 4-all in the first set to take complete control against the American.

“Frances has a lot of power and the court can play quite quick, especially if you protect your serve well, which we both did in that first set,” Federer said. “He helped me a little bit with that first set, and in the second set his level dropped a bit, and I was able to maintain it, and that was the story there.”

MATCH POINT—Federer d. Tiafoe:

Serena struck back for the U.S. in the next match, losing a 3-0 lead in dropping the first set, but battling back to beat Belinda Bencic, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. The American struck 45 winners in the match.

“It’s definitely a relief. She played really well,” Serena told HopmanCup.com.

“I knew I could play better, so that was always something that was in my mind.”

MATCH POINT—S. Williams d. Bencic:

Federer and Bencic then beat Serena and Tiafoe in the mixed doubles match, 4-2, 4-3 (3).

“It was a great experience. I’m kind of sad it’s over - you know, I was just warming up!” Serena joked in her on-court interview right afterwards. “But it was so fun. We grew up together, really, and to have an opportunity to do this after all these years, it was super cool. For me it was just super cool.”

“I was nervous returning,” Federer said after the match. “People talk about her serve so much and now I see why it’s such a wonderful serve. You can’t read it. For me it was nerve-wracking too.”

POST-MATCH INTERVIEW—Federer/Bencic d. S. Williams/Tiafoe:

Meanwhile, over in Brisbane, another former No.1, Andy Murray, got his 2019 off to a winning start, holding nine of his 10 service games en route to a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Australian James Duckworth.

“I thought I did well. Both of us were maybe nervous at the beginning,” said Murray, who is now 10-0 lifetime at the Brisbane International. “As the match went on the rallies were more entertaining, and I felt like I moved quite well towards the end, which allowed me to get the break in the second set.

“I think for the first match of the new year after quite a long break, it was all right.”

MATCH POINT—Murray d. Duckworth:

Last but not least, another pair of former No. 1s—Venus Williams and Victoria Azarenka—played a blockbuster first round match at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, with Venus prevailing, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

“Tonight was not easy, maybe one of the toughest first rounds I’ve ever played,” Venus declared. “My goal was to get past this first round, and we need these matches going into the Australian Open.”

MATCH POINT—V. Williams d. Azarenka:

**Hopman Cup (Sat - Sat 12.29 - 1.5)

•    Roger Federer, Alexander Zverev, Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber headline the Hopman Cup. Watch live coverage on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Saturday 12/29 at 9:00pm ET.**

**ATP/WTA Brisbane (Sun - Sun 12.30 - 1.6)

•    Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Naomi Osaka and Sloane Stephens open their 2019 seasons in Brisbane. Live coverage from three courts begins on Tennis Channel Plus on Sunday 12/30 at 8:00pm ET.**

**WTA Auckland (Sun - Sun 12.30 - 1.6)

•    Catch the action from the ASB Classic including Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki. Live coverage begins on Tennis Channel Plus on Sunday 12/30 at 8:00pm ET.**

**WTA Shenzhen (Sat - Sat 12.29 - 1.5)

•    Watch first to last ball action from the Shenzhen Open featuring Maria Sharapova and Jelena Ostapenko beginning Saturday 12/29 at 11:00pm ET.**

**ATP Pune (Mon - Sat 12.31 - 1.5)

•    Watch Kevin Anderson, Marin Cilic and Hyeon Chung live from Pune starting Monday 12/31 at 6:30am ET.**