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Serena Williams to play in Hopman Cup

World No.1 Serena Williams will return to Perth in January when she goes in search of a third Hopman Cup triumph.

Williams, who helped the USA win the mixed doubles event in 2003 and 2008, will be partnered by up-and-coming prospect Jack Sock.

Williams, who turned 33 last week, clinched her 18th singles grand slam title last month with victory at the US Open, while world No.70 and reigning Wimbledon doubles champion Sock is American tennis’ rising star.

“I’m really looking forward to heading back to Perth and the Hopman Cup,” Williams said of her attempt to become the first three-times winner of the mixed-teams event.

“It’s been such a long time since I’ve been there.

“I’ve had a great time there and it’s always been a great warm-up (for the Australian Open) for me.”

And in what will be one of the strongest Hopman Cup fields, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Alize Cornet will return to defend the title for France as the top seeds.

It is the third straight time Tsonga has come to Perth, with the world No.12 to take on two-times grand slam champion Andy Murray in a strong Group B.

Tournament director Paul Kilderry revealed that Cornet (world No.20) had emailed him soon after lifting the trophy with Tsonga earlier this year to express her interest in returning.

“I have great memories from Hopman Cup,” Cornet said.

“Amazing memories, the victory at the end, the crowd was amazing.

“The gold racquet [trophy] that I won last year at Hopman Cup is in my room where everybody can see it. For me it is so precious. It reminds me of the great time I had in Perth.”

Alize Cornet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after winning the 2014 Hopman Cup. Pic: Getty Images


Exciting teenager Nick Kyrgios and WA's Casey Dellacqua will make up the Australia team, while Murray will be in the Great Britain side along with Heather Watson.

The Polish, who contested the event for the first time last year, will be represented by world No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska and big man Jerzy Janowicz.

Radwanska was an outstanding performer as Poland made the final last year, after Janowicz pulled out through injury.

Top 20 players Flavia Pennetta and Fabio Fognini represent a strong Italian team, with the pair also a couple off the court, while veteran Radek Stepanek is back for a second straight team, this year joined by world No.15 Lucie Safarova on the Czech Republic team.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova could not be lured back for a third crack at the championship after a brilliant year.

Rising pair Vasek Pospisil and Eugenie Bouchard, this year's Wimbledon runner-up, will team up for Canada to round a strong and even field, which includes nine top 20 players.

Canada and the Czech Republic will open the tournament, with Australia and Poland to face off in the first night session.

The 2015 Hopman Cup takes place at Perth Arena from January 4-10.