Opening victory at the Hopman Cup: Riedi with a feat against the number 6 in the world

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The young Swiss team surprised at the start of the revived Hopman Cup in Nice with a win over Denmark. Leandro Riedi and Céline Naef scored the favorites in the deciding mixed doubles match.

Earlier, Leandro Riedi (ATP 160) used an exploit to make Switzerland gamble for victory. The 21-year-old from Zurich surprisingly defeated the one year younger Holger Rune (ATP 6) with 6: 4, 6: 3. The 18-year-old Céline Naef (WTA 157) clearly loses with 2: 6, 3: 6 against Clara Tauson (WTA 89). In the mixed doubles, the Swiss duo against Rune/Tauson finally made the decision with a 6:3, 7:5 victory.

Riedi and Naef defy Danish fans

Riedi said after his coup that his two-set victory was not all in his head. “I was able to get the energy from the crowd – from my people – to focus on my stuff and I’m super happy that I was able to win in the end.” He is not deterred by the numerous Danish fans. “I think it was Rune. He’s just a superstar.”

Riedi and Naef were still enjoying the atmosphere. Now on Friday against France with the duo Richard Gasquet (ATP 49) and Alizé Cornet (WTA 68). “With a lot of public against us. Again. But we like that,” says Riedi. “We are going full speed again and are confident,” adds Naef.

Naef instead of Bencic

Belinda Bencic was originally supposed to represent the Swiss colors on the clay courts on the Côte d’Azur, but the Olympic champion has been suffering from pain in her right arm since Wimbledon and has to take a break. Bencic won the last two Hopman Cups (2018 and 2019) together with Roger Federer.

The Hopman Cup is a mixed competition with a long tradition that was held in Australia from 1989 to 2019. Now he must be revived on a new continent and on a new date. (SDA/dti)

Source : Blick