Perth, Australia  - Simone Bolelli scored a breakthrough victory over world number seven Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-3 to draw his nation level with hot favourite France at the Hopman Cup on Tuesday.

The Italians went in with nothing to lose and the tie at first looked like going with the form guide as French number one Alize Cornet dominated Flavia Pennetta 7-5, 6-2.

Abu Dhabi, UAE  - Britain's Andy Murray downed world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to win the final of the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament on Saturday.

Perth, Aust

Abu Dhabi, UAE  - Andy Murray remains more excited about his fast-improving Australian Open chances than even the 250,000-dollar prize packet he stands to win in the final with Rafael Nadal at the Capitala Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Murray reached the Saturday title showdown as he beat Roger Federer in three sets at the exhibition.

"It's always a challenge playing Roger," said the Scot, ranked fourth. "I've got the better of him on a few occasions, but in the big one we played, at the US Open final, he beat me pretty badly.

Perth, Australia  - Lleyton Hewitt has revealed he was forced to undergo August hip surgery after his leg "shut down" at the Beijing Olympics.

"It got to the stage where at Wimbledon I was struggling quite a bit. I made the fourth round, and lost to Roger Federer," said the two-time Grand Slam champion, making his comeback at the Hopman Cup.

"But I put up a great effort there, but then went to Beijing and after one match my whole leg basically shut down.

Perth, Australia  - Dinara Safina will get a rare chance to team with her big brother Marat Safin as the pair lead favourite Russia into play at the Hopman Cup.

The eight-nation team event begins on Saturday with title prospect France (Gilles Simon, Alize Cornet) facing Taiwan. Russia goes into action on Sunday - pending Marat's last-minute arrival - with an opening tie against Italy.

Safina, ranked a career-high number four on the WTA, won four titles last season and played three other finals including the French Open against Ana Ivanovic and the Beijing Olympics against Elena Dementieva.