Canadians ousted at Hopman Cup tennis event
Last Updated: Thursday, January 8, 2004 | 2:24 PM ET
CBC Sports
Drake of Toronto fell 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-3 to Hungary's Petra Mandula in Perth, Australia. Dancevic, a native of Niagara Falls, Ont., dropped a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) decision to Attila Savolt, also from Hungary.
The Canadian duo failed to qualify for the event earlier in the week, but gained entry as the alternate team when Belgium's Kim Clijsters was forced to withdraw after hurting her ankle. Hungary had been scheduled to play Belgium.
Meanwhile, Australia forfeited mixed doubles play against Slovakia after Alicia Molik suffered a foot injury.
Toronto's Maureen Drake was eliminated at the Hopman Cup on Thursday by Petra Mandula of Hungary. (CP Photo)
Australia lost 2-1 but already had qualified for the final. Molik said she would be able to play in Saturday's championship, tourney organizers said.
Molik was up a set and ahead 3-0 in the second against Daniela Hantuchova when she limped off the court. Her foot was taped before the previous game.
Australia's lone win came when Lleyton Hewitt downed Karol Kucera 6-2, 6-7 (8), 6-3.
Elsewhere, Marat Safin rallied for a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6), 6-3 win over Jiri Novak, helping Russia to a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. Safin's ranking dropped to No. 77 because of a wrist problem in 2003.
"The second match of the year, I am feeling great and fighting and running and doing everything as well to beat him," said Safin, the 2000 U.S. Open champion.
The Russians face the defending champion United States Friday and must beat Lindsay Davenport and James Blake 3-0 to have any chance of reaching the final.
with files from Canadian Press
