Murray set to debut at Hopman Cup

Oct 27, 2009, 14:34 GMT

Perth, Australia - Andy Murray will set to make his debut at the Hopman Cup mixed team event from January 2, partnering teenaged talent Laura Robson, the tournament announced Tuesday.

The world number four and 15-year-old schoolgirl Robson, last year's junior Wimbledon champion who grew up in Astralia, will make up the first British entry at the eight-nation event for decades.

Murray has recently been starting his season at the ATP tournament in Doha, where he has won the last two editions.

The Brits will be part of a Hopman field headed by top seed Australia, with Lleyton Hewitt back for a second straight year and Sam Stosur as his partner. Hewitt had to quit the event in 2009 after years of boycotts after developing an ear infection from what he said was a dip in a resort swimming pool.

Murray is currently out of action with a wrist injury which he hopes to test next week in Valencia. 'I look forward to playing at the Hopman Cup with Laura,' Murray said.

The Scot has had his problems at the Australian Open, with a pair of fourth rounds his best career showings.

He may be hoping that some of the luck experienced by previous top players (Australian open winners Marat Safin, 2005 and Novak Djokovkic, 2008) who travelled to Perth might rub off.

'He's never done well at the Australian Open,' said tournament boss Paul McNamee. 'He's trying something different. He wants to break through for his first Grand Slam.'

The US will also field a fresh generation of talent with newcomers Melanie Oudin and John Isner representing the five-time champions.

Oudin rose to prominence at he US Open after beating Russian seeds Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva before losing the quarter-finals to eventual finalist Caroline Wozniacki. The 41st-ranked Isner,a tree-topper at 2.06 metres, upset American hero Andy Roddick in New York before losing in the fourth round to Roger Federer.

Other squad include Russia with Igor Andreev and Elena Dementieva and Germany fielding Sabine Lisicki and Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Spain was confirmed with former winner Tommy Robredo playing for a fourth time, with Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez onside. Robredo took 2002 honours in Perth with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.