The winners of the 2016 Hopman Cup were finally crowned as the hosts Australia Green dominated Ukraine in a one-sided final to claim their first title since 1999.  After Daria Gavrilova had shocked Elina Svitolina in straight sets, the man of the tournament Nick Kyrgios wasted little time in dispatching Alexandr Dolgopolov to claim the trophy.  

Gavrilova defeats Svitolina in a stunner 

Avenging her defeat in last year's Doha tournament, Daria Gavrilova produced a match of breathtaking tennis to send Australia on their way with a straight sets win.  In just over an hour and a half of rain interrupted play, the Russian-born Aussie looked to be dead and buried in the second set tie break, before she raced back with seven consecutive points to seal a 6-4 7-6 (6) victory.  

Playing aggressive tennis from the baseline, her approach pair off as she shocked the much higher ranked Svitolina in the first set, and then remained focussed throughout the second as the Ukrainian upped the ante.  Taking the match to a second set tie break, Svitolina found herself 6-1 up and seemingly on course to take the match to a third set. But then Gavrilova clicked and before long was celebrating only her second victory at the tournament. 

Gavrilova celebrates her win over Svitolina (Source: Hopman Cup on twitter)
Gavrilova celebrates her win over Svitolina (Source: Hopman Cup on twitter)

Having lost to both Heather Watson of Britain and Caroline Garcia of France, which both followed her sole win over Sabine Lisicki of Germany, the match proved to be Gavrilova's best performance of the tournament.  Speaking after the match, she commented that the impending third set ensured she began to swing 'freely' and her new gung-ho approach paid dividends.  

Triumph sealed by Kyrgios 

The win left Ukraine on the brink and with Alexandr Dolgopolov needing to usurp the hugely impressive Nick Kyrgios to maintain his nation's hopes.  Less about his antics and more about his tennis this week, the Australian win never looked in doubt as Kyrgios blew his opponent off the court in their first ever meeting.  

Securing two early breaks in both sets, Kyrgios assumed complete control against a vastly sub-par Dolgopolov.  Building on his wins over Kenny De Schepper, Alexander Zverev and most importantly Andy Murray, the young Aussie's serve proved devastating.  

Having secured the trophy and a 6-3 6-4 win, it was decided that the doubles rubber would not be played and instead Australia could revel in their triumph.  

Due to the title already sealed, it was decided that the mixed doubles rubber would not be played. (Source: TennisworldUSA)
Due to the title already sealed, it was decided that the mixed doubles rubber would not be played. (Source: TennisworldUSA)

Ukraine, meanwhile, can look back on a hugely successful tournament, when their debutant pair escaped from a tough group against the likes of Karolina Pliskova's Czech Republic and the US.  Speaking after the match, Dolgopolov made it known that he hoped he and Svitolina would be 'back'. 

For the Aussies, the tournament represents a huge achievement as they became only the second Australian team to ever win the competition, following Mark Philippoussis and Jelena Dokic in 1999.  It's the first time a home team has reached the final since 2003. 

'From everyone in Australian Tennis, I want to dedicate this win to Darren Tandy'

Nick Kyrgios said after the match, dedicating the trophy to the James Ward's coach who recently passed away. 

With the Australian Open now less than two weeks over the horizon, will the win encourage Nick Kyrgios to finally overcome his bad-boy tag and deliver when it matters? Having produced grand slamm winner like tennis all week, he may very well do this.  

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About the author
Jack Haugh
Freelance sports writer, specialising in tennis.