Germany Edge Australia In Hopman Cup Tiebreaker

Despite the loss, Hewitt said he was encouraged by his own performance in his first match since undergoing hip surgery in August.

Germany triumphed in a deciding mixed doubles tiebreaker to defeat Australia 2-1 in their Group A clash at the Hopman Cup in Perth on Monday.

The German pair of Nicolas Kiefer and Sabine Lisicki won the deciding tiebreaker 10-5 to clinch the match 6-7 6-3 7-6 after the two singles rubbers had been split.

Lisicki gave Germany the early lead when she beat Casey Dellacqua 4-6 6-2 7-5 but Australia squared the tie when Lleyton Hewitt defeated Kiefer 6-7 6-3 6-2.

Despite the loss, Hewitt said he was encouraged by his own performance in his first match since undergoing hip surgery in August.

"I've been hanging for this match for a long time... it's a great way to start the year," he told reporters.

"It takes a lot of courage to come back from surgery and to come back and lose the first set in a tiebreak and then win the second and third convincingly -- it's a good start."

The United States were due to play Slovak Republic in Monday's second Group A tie. Russia and France won their Group B ties on Sunday.