KEY POINTS:
PERTH - Spain will meet Russia in the Hopman Cup final after a complex array of permutations was finally resolved at the Burswood Dome late last night (NZ time).
Tommy Robredo and Anabel Medina Garrigues booked their place in Friday's showpiece after a 2-1 victory over India gave
them top spot in Group A of the mixed team competition.
India could have reached the final on their debut with a win over Spain, and the Czech Republic could have sneaked past both teams with a whitewash of Croatia in the night's other pool match but in the end Spain's win proved the key.
"Every time you're in the final you have a chance," Robredo said in a courtside interview. "We'll just have to try our best and take our chances."
Medina Garrigues showed superior movement from the back of the court to defeat Sania Mirza 3-6 6-1 6-3, while Rohan Bopanna had no answer to the pace of Tommy Robredo.
World number seven Robredo won 6-2 6-3 to end India's hopes but the calculators were at the ready when Lucie Safarova gave the Czechs a 1-0 lead with a 7-5 6-2 win over Sanja Ancic.
A whitewash of Croatia would have given the Czechs a chance on set countback but Mario Ancic ended the debate with a 7-6 6-4 win over world number 13 Tomas Berdych to finally confirm Spain's place in the final for a fourth time.
The Czechs subsequently forfeited the mixed doubles due to an injury worry for Safarova to give Croatia their first win of the tournament, while India took the redundant mixed match against Spain.
Earlier, Russia booked their place in the final with a 3-0 whitewash of France.
The top seeds, who lost their first match to Australia, started the day needing to win all three rubbers to overtake the French on countback at the top of Group A.
Nadia Petrova kept her end of the bargain by beating Tatiana Golovin 7-6 6-0 before partner Dmitry Tursunov overcame Jerome Haehnel 6-1 6-4.
The Russians then paired up to defeat the French duo 6-4 6-2 in the mixed doubles.
"I'm very relieved because after our first match we didn't have any more chances," said Petrova in a courtside interview.
World number six Petrova triumphed despite receiving treatment for a strained side during the first set against Golovin.
Australia beat United States 2-1 in the dead second contest in the group.
Alicia Molik gave the hosts a 1-0 lead with a 3-6 6-4 6-4 win over Ashley Harkleroad before Mardy Fish levelled with a 7-5 7-5 victory over Nathan Healey, a late replacement for the injured Mark Philippoussis.
The Australian duo then prevailed 6-4 7-5 in the mixed doubles.
- REUTERS