PERTH — Angelique Kerber won her singles and contributed heavily in the deciding mixed doubles victory that gave Germany a 2-1 win over Australia and a spot in the Hopman Cup final against Switzerland.

Roger Federer overcame Jack Sock while Belinda Bencic battled past CoCo Vandeweghe to help Switzerland score a 3-0 victory over the United States and book a place in the final of the Hopman Cup on Thursday.

Kerber beat Australia's Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 6-2 on Friday to put Germany within one win of reaching the final against Federer and Bencic. But Thanasi Kokkinakis edged Alexander Zverev 5-7, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in a close tussle to level for Australia, meaning Germany needed to win the doubles to advance.

A Germany loss to Australia in the last of the group matches would have meant three teams ended with 2-1 records, and that would have sent Belgium into Saturday's championship decider at Germany's expense.

Kokkinakis retained momentum in the first set of the doubles, but Kerber remained composed despite a succession of unforced errors from Zverev — and taking the full brunt of a Kokkinakis forehand on her hip — to steer Germany to a 1-4, 4-1, 4-3 (3) in the Fast 4 format.

Zverev praised two-time major winner Kerber's performance, admitting he almost lost the match for Germany. Angie played unbelievable in both of her matches — she's the reason we're in the final, Zverev said. I'm going to give all the credit to her. I didn't play my best today — luckily I have an unbelievable partner.

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 at the Hopman Cup and handed Canada its third consecutive defeat with singles victories by David Goffin and Elise Mertens on Friday.

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. — AP