By JARROD POTTER
CALLED into the Australian side on extremely short notice, Australian tennis player Marinko Matosevic served his country proudly at the Hopman Cup.
Matosevic, 29, from North Dandenong, made the mad dash from Brisbane to Perth to replace the injured Matt Ebden in the ITF Hopman Cup and excelled in his first outing at the international teams tournament.
The world number 77 had a week going from perilous lows to soaring heights as he was called into the Australian side after a first-round defeat at the Brisbane International.
Partnering with Casey Dellacqua for the second of three tournament rounds, Matosevic’s shining achievement was a come-from-behind victory over Frenchman Benoit Paire on Wednesday night as the Dandenong dasher fought back from a set down to take the victory 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
France held on to defeat Australia in the mixed doubles 7-6(7-3), 7-5 to take the tie.
Great Britain ended the Australian run at the Hopman Cup on Friday night as Andy Murray and Heather Watson proved too powerful for the Matosevic/Dellacqua tandem, clinching all three matches in straight sets.
Australia lost on the opening night to eventual winners Poland 0-3 to leave the home side winless through the round-robin stage.
