Brits too strong for Germany

Great Britain pairing Andy Murray and Laura Robson moved a step away from reaching the Hopman Cup final with a 2-1 win over Germany in Perth on Wednesday.

After Robson had gone down fighting to Sabine Lisicki 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 in the opening rubber, Murray produced another performance of authority to beat world number 27 Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4 6-1 in less than an hour.

The British pair then teamed impressively to win the mixed doubles 6-3 6-2 and ensure the number three seeds moved top of Group B with their second win in as many ties.

Russia could, however, join them when they play the tournament's lowest-ranked nation Kazakhstan later on Wednesday, which would set up a winner-takes-all final group game between the pair on Friday.

The winners of the two groups at the eight-team tournament will qualify for Saturday's final.

Great Britain put themselves firmly in contention to reach that title decider after Robson and Murray, who had never played alongside each other before arriving in Perth earlier this week, again secured a decisive mixed doubles victory.

They survived a tense match tie-breaker to win their opener against Kazakhstan on Monday, but produced a far more convincing doubles display against the Germans.

The Britons raced into a 5-0 lead after just 14 minutes of their doubles clash, and with the 15-year-old Robson taking a lead role they powered to the win.