Guillermo Coria from Argentina, hits a forehand return against Davide Sanguinetti from Italy during their Hopman Cup Men's Singles match, in Perth, Sunday Jan. 2, 2005. Coria won 6-1,7-6 on the second day of the event.

Men's world No.7 Guillermo Coria led Argentina to a 2-1 victory over Italy in the opener of the Hopman Cup in Australia.

The Argentine side lost their first match as Gisela Dulko was defeated 6-1, 6-3 by Italian Francesco Schiavone in women's singles.

Coria evened the series by beating David Sanguinetti 6-1, 7-6 in his singles.

The 23-year-old then teamed with Dulko and topped Schiavone and Sanguinetti 7-5, 6-0 in the deciding mixed doubles.

Australia plays Slovakia, and Russia faces Germany in the following competitions on Monday. While defending champion United States opens against the Netherlands, and Germany plays Italy on Tuesday.

The eight nations in the tournament are divided into two groups, with the leading country from each group playing in Saturday's final.

Source: CRI News