PERTH — Angelique Kerber won both of her matches as Germany beat Belgium 2-1 in their opener at the mixed-team Hopman Cup at Perth Arena Monday. David Goffin kept Belgium in the Group A encounter with a 6-3, 6-3 win over fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev, after Kerber had beaten Elise Mertens 7-6 (6), 7-6 (1) in a match that featured 11 breaks of serve. The 1-1 score led to a Fast4 mixed doubles with Kerber and Zverev playing together for the first time and beating Mertens and Goffin 4-2, 4-3 (2). Goffin had his serve broken in the opening game, with all players holding serve afterward in a tight decider. Earlier, Kerber survived a set point against Mertens and took a 4-1 lead in the second before the 36th-ranked Belgian won four straight games to lead 5-4. I think it was a good match from both of us, a really high quality, said Kerber, who is playing in the Hopman Cup for the first time. For me, it gives me a bit of confidence starting the year like this, playing good tennis again. Seventh-ranked Goffin hit 12 winners to take the opening set against Zverev. Australia and Canada are also in Group A. On Tuesday, Japan takes on the United States in the early Group B game before Switzerland, whose team includes Roger Federer, faces Russia. Switzerland and the US won their opening matches.

Kerber was delighted to start 2018 with a victory, having battled a dramatic slump in form last year. She started 2017 ranked world No. 1 but by the end of the season the dual Grand Slam winner had slipped to 21. Kerber, who won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2016, said it was a promising start to her preparation for Melbourne. Kerber added that she had emerged from last year a wiser player, having struggled with the pressure of expectations. Last year was a completely different year, I learnt a lot, she said. I am trying not to look back, we are in 2018 and I'm really happy about that. Its a fresh start. — Agencies