TENNIS: The US beat the Netherlands 2-1 to claim their third (fourth in total) Hopman Cup title in four years yesterday.The American mixed doubles pairing of Taylor Dent and Lisa Raymond came through a tight battle against Michaella Krajicek and Peter Wessels, winning 4-6 6-2 10-8 to clinch the tie after the singles rubbers were split. The final set of the mixed doubles was decided by a first-to-10 super tie-break.

Earlier, 16-year-old Krajicek gave the Netherlands a promising start when she edged veteran Raymond 6-4 7-6 before Dent took just 46 minutes to defeat Wessels 6-1 6-4.

The US, playing in their eighth final, added to their titles in 1997, 2003 and 2004. Krajicek struggled to dominate a player double her age, converting just two of 11 break points and making 49 unforced errors compared to 30 winners.