The Netherlands rallied to defeat China, 2-1, to reach the main draw of the eight-nation Hopman Cup mixed team tennis tournament in Perth, Australia.
Peng Shuai, ranked 36th, gave China a 1-0 lead when she beat 16-year-old Michaella Krajicek in the women's singles match, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Peter Wessels got the Dutch even by winning his singles match over Sun Peng, 6-2, 6-2. Then Wessels and Krajicek combined to win the mixed doubles match over Peng and Sun, 6-4, 6-4.
With the victory, the Dutch will join Australia, Argentina and Germany in Group A. Germany, with Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Nicolas Kiefer plays on Saturday against the Australian team of Samantha Stosur and Wayne Arthurs.
Group B features the United States, Russia, Sweden and Serbia and Montenegro. The Americans are represented by Lisa Raymond and Taylor Dent.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
