Australia has won it's second Hopman Cup title and first since 1999 after defeating Ukraine 2-0 in front of a packed Perth Arena. Both sides went into the final undefeated but the Ukrainian team had not lost a singles match the whole week. However, this would soon change when newly converted Aussie Daria Gavrilova upset world number 19 Elina Svitolina 6-4 7-6 (6) to put Australia up 1-0 in the tie. With the momentum on the home team's side, Nick Kyrgios comfortably defeated Alexander Dolgopolov 6-3 6-4 to clinch the title.
Gavrilova Upsets A Nervy Svitolina
Heading into the opening match of the tie, no one expected Daria Gavrilova to challenge Elina Svitolina. The former Russian junior world number one had been solid throughout her first three matches at the tournament but only had one win against Sabine Lisicki on the opening day. In comparison, Svitolina had been flawless throughout the week, winning all three of her round robin singles matches comfortably. The Aussie started the match as the more composed player, quickly racing to 5-2. However, a quick rain delay would help Svitolina regroup and the Ukrainian swiftly won two games to get the scoreline to 5-4. Despite this, Gavrilova would hold on to take the second set 6-4.
In the second set, Gavrilova broke Svitolina in the fifth to go 4-2 up. However, the world number 19 dug in deep and broke right back. The second set would eventually go into a tiebreak and it looked as though the match would go into a third set when the Ukrainian built a 6-1 lead. However, the young Aussie then won 7 straight points to upset the world number 19 and put Australia Green into the lead.
Kyrgios Comfortably Beats Dolgopolov
With all the momentum on Australia's side Nick Kyrgios would comfortably close out the final. From the outset the Aussie dominated with his serve and shot making ability, and he would break Dolgopolov in the fifth game to go up 4-2. However, this was followed by a error ridden service game and Dolgopolov would break back to love. The world number 30 would then compose himself to win the next two games and take the first set 6-3.
The second set would follow the same pattern as the first, and when Kyrgios had the opportunity to serve out the match at 5-4, he took it comfortably.
After sneaking into the final, Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova comfortably dominated the highly fancied Ukrianian team. In the process they became the first Aussie pairing since Mark Philippoussis and Jelena Dokic in 1999 to lift the Hopman Cup. In addition to this, both Gavirlova and Kyrgios have won their first senior title.
