02 January,2011 08:05 AM IST | | AFP
Australia got off to a winning start Saturday as Lleyton Hewitt and Alica Molik won their opening tie 2-1 over Belgium thanks to a concluding mixed doubles victory.
Molik set up match point in the final tie-break set with a winner followed by an error from young Belgian Ruben Bemelmans. Belgian Justine Henin admitted to being a complete neophyte on the mixed court.
"This was my first time ever in mixed, at age 28, it was a lot of fun, good experience with Ruben," said the seven-time Grand Slam winner.
Earlier, Hewitt pulled Australia back as his 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Bemelmans levelled at 1-1. Henin opened the New Year's day as she beat Molik 6-4, 6-4. Molik has won just one set against Henin after six meetings.
"In the second set I had so many chances, it was a matter of making something happen," said Molik.
"Opportunities only come along every so often against a quality player like Justine." Hewitt is among five Grand Slam champions in the field, along with Novak Djokovic, Serb compatriot Ana Ivanovic, Roland Garros winner Francesca Schiavone and Henin. Australia have had hard luck in Hopman Cup, lifting its only title in 1999 through Mark Philippoussis and Jelena Dokic.
