Germany one win away from Hopman Cup final vs Switzerland
PERTH, Australia (AP) Two-time Grand Slam singles champion Angelique Kerber beat Australia's Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 6-2 to put Germany one win away from a Hopman Cup final against Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
Alexander Zverev played Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis in men's singles later Friday. A win by Zverev would clinch a spot in the final Saturday at Perth Arena against the Swiss pair.
Germany has won the Hopman Cup twice, but not since Boris Becker and Anke Huber teamed up in 1995.
Earlier, Belgium won its second match and handed Canada its third consecutive defeat with singles victories by David Goffin and Elise Mertens.
Mertens beat Eugenie Bouchard, who sustained a suspected buttocks injury, 6-4, 6-4, before Goffin defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 6-4.
With the Australian Open just over a week away, Bouchard said she didn't think her injury was serious.
''I think it's maybe a little strained or a little pulled or something,'' Bouchard said. ''There was a really sharp pain. I'm going to the physio now to see what it is. I don't think it's too bad.''
Bouchard is scheduled to compete at next week's Hobart International ahead of the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 15.
