Former world No.1 Venus Williams came from a set and 3-0 down to defeat France’s Mathilde Johansson 3-6 7-5 6-4 in their Hopman Cup clash at Perth Arena on Tuesday night.
Williams looked off her game during the first set-and-a-half, but dug deep into her bag of tricks to come out victorious in 139 minutes.
Her win levelled the tie between France and the US at 1-1 after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga thrashed American John Isner 6-3 6-2 in the men’s singles rubber.
After fighting back to take the second set, Williams snared the match-winning break in the seventh game of the third set when Johansson sent a regulation close-range forehand into the net.
“Mathilde’s a tough player. She hits the ball hard and low, and I’m tall so it’s hard to get low,” Williams said.
“I was just thinking, at least if I’m going to lose this match, I was going to try to work on my game. In the end, I got a win for the US.”
Meanwhile, Isner said he wasn’t freaking out despite starting the summer with losses to Tsonga and South African Kevin Anderson.
The 206cm power-hitter cut a frustrated figure for much of the 55-minute contest against Tsonga, with his mobility compromised at times by a slight knee injury that he has carried in recent times.
But the world No.14 was adamant his preparation for the Australian Open remained on track.
“Normally it takes me a while to get going. I’m not worried about it,” said Isner.
“I remember about three years ago when I first played this event, I didn’t play so well here but I won the next tournament.
“I have time to get ready and I’m confident going into the season. I’ve put in good work during the off-season.
“It certainly wasn’t my best performance (against Tsonga).
“I was missing a lot of shots I would have liked to have made. But I’m not freaking out about it.
“My knee’s been bothering me a little bit but it’s fine. It’s a little tendonitis or something.”
Tsonga, who made just four unforced errors compared to Isner’s 21, was pleased with his early-season form, which included a straight-sets win over Spain’s Fernando Verdasco on Sunday.
“I’m really happy. I played some good tennis,” Tsonga said.
“My plan was to make him move and try to play my game.
“I mean I’m powerful and I know when I play well my game I’m able to beat the best.”