PERTH, Australia (AP) American Bethanie Mattek-Sands topped world No. 7 Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-4 to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead over Italy at the Hopman Cup on Wednesday.
Mattek-Sands wasted little time in applying pressure to the French Open champion Schiavone, breaking to go 3-2 ahead in the opening set and maintaining her lead the rest of the way.
Schiavone fell a break behind at the start of the second set. She broke back, but it was merely delaying the inevitable as Mattek-Sands broke again to complete the victory.
John Isner faces Potito Starace in the second singles match later Wednesday. Isner and Mattek-Sands won their first tie against France 3-0.