2 January 2014 | Tennis West

France’s hopes of winning their first ever Hopman Cup have been given a major boost after they defeated the US 2-1 at Perth Arena.

World No.12 Sloane Stephens got the US off to a perfect start with a 7-5 6-0 win over Alize Cornet in the women’s singles.

But Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 win over John Isner levelled the tie, before France won the deciding mixed doubles 6-1 5-7 10-5.

France will reach the final of the mixed-teams event if they beat winless Spain on Friday.

“I’m so happy we got through, because the US were the best team of the group I think,” Cornet said.

“I think it’s very stressful to play the whole match and then it comes down to 10 points in the match tiebreak.”

Australia’s title hopes are already over after this summer’s pairing of Bernard Tomic and Sam Stosur slumped to losses against Canada and Italy.

Isner committed 17 unforced errors in the first set of the men’s singles rubber, with three of those coming early in the one-sided tiebreak.

The only break of the match came in the eighth game of the second set, with Tsonga securing the win in 76 minutes.

Tsonga missed most of the second half of 2013 with a knee injury, but said he was feeling strong as he builds towards this month’s Australian Open.

“I did a big preparation on it, a good rehab, and now it’s feeling good,” said Tsonga, who beat Radek Stepanek on Monday.

“Last year I was also in good shape. I played well.

“But unfortunately in the middle of the season I had this injury. This year I’ll try to make sure it won’t happen.”

Stephens, who disposed of Anabel Medina Garrigues in straight sets on Monday, overcame an early challenge from Cornet before romping through the second set.

“It’s not often I win a set 6-0, so I was proud of myself for that. I stayed tough,” Stephens said.

Cornet was rumoured to be struggling with a back injury before the match, but the 23-year-old denied that was the case.

“I felt my muscle a bit sore from two days ago. But I was feeling well today on the court,” Cornet said.

“I was ready for this match. Sloane was just better than me.