The last day of Hopman Cup XIX! For the second year in a row, it was to be a night final...and this year it was between the top 2 seeds Russia and Spain. Russia had never made the final here before despite 4 previous thwarted efforts. Spain had won it twice previously, the last time being in 2002 with Tommy Robredo and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. I was there live for that final too and I will never forget it...but I knew Spain would have it tougher this year. To be honest, it didn't bother me who won, as both teams were cool. Anabel Medina Garrigues came out first against Nadia Petrova but couldn't seem to do anything right...she was totally overpowered and was bageled in the first set. The second set wasn't much better and Petrova won 6-0 6-4 giving Russia the opening rubber. Next up was the men's match between Tommy Robredo and Dmitry Tursunov, which on paper was going to be much closer given their history and rankings. Dmitry came out firing with some blistering groundstrokes. It looked like he really had his serious hat on because Tommy really couldn't do anything. He lost the first set 6-4 and, although he was up a break in the second, he was not able to maintain it, and Dmitry ended up winning in straights 6-4 7-5. A great win for Russia who never really gave Spain a chance to get into it. As usual, Tursunov stole the show at the ceremony making statements like "I'd like to thank myself". He is so likeable and I know everyone here in Perth now adores him!! Hopefully he and Nadia will be back next year.
What happened afterwards, however, was in my opinion the best part of the whole tournament - a mixed doubles played as a pro-set of first to 8 games. It was the funniest match I have ever had the pleasure of attending live. It started with Anabel asking the umpire if she could sing Happy Birthday to someone else in the crowd, which she did. She has absolutely no shame, it's amazing and so refreshing! She also later engaged in a moonballing contest with Dmitry and imitated John McEnroe. After a while, Anabel and Nadia decided it was time to show off some girl power, joining forces as the "Russia Girls" to take on the "Spain Boys" of Dmitry and Tommy. Tursunov, not to be outdone by the girls, put on one of Petrova's hot pink sleeveless tops (which actually suited him very well given his great body!!) and started playing like a woman (or a dragqueen!). It was HILARIOUS!!! He put tennis balls in his top to look like boobs and then one started to fall down! There are some pics in the photo gallery...it was TOTALLY a kodak moment! He shrieked like a girl (or should I say Sharapova) and acted like a complete diva. He then chased a linesman and went and sat on his lap. During one of the changeovers, Nadia took some cards out of Tommy's racquet bag and she and Anabel started playing a card game, while Dmitry showed us his hairdressing skills on Tommy's hair, though I don't think Tommy was too amused!! Dmitry also had some funny chocolate bar holder that was a character from Ice Age I think. Somehow it ended up on a lineswoman's shoulder!! All in all it was just soooo great! I was crying with laughter...all 4 players were funny, as were Carlos Ramos and the Hawkeye people, but the prizes have to go to Anabel and Dmitry, they are GOLD and I really hope they come back again next year. Tennis really needs characters like them. I managed to see Anabel after the match and thanked her for the entertainment...she was so sweet, although limping with a bit of a knee injury. Hopefully she'll be ok over the next few weeks. Dmitry was signing autographs and engaging with fans for about half an hour after the match...he was so patient and friendly to everyone despite the fact that it was well into the early hours of the morning and he had to get to Sydney - what a guy.
So a fantastic way to end Hopman Cup XIX and I look forward to attending it again next year when it celebrates its 20th birthday. For now, it's time to pack my bags for Melbourne because it's time for the AUSSIE OPEN!!!!!!!