Novak Djokovic gave Serbia a 1-0 lead in the final of the Hopman Cup with a straight-sets victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco in Perth.
Serbia, yet to win the mixed team tournament which Spain have taken three times, went ahead as Djokovic beat Verdasco 6-3 7-5.
After dominating the first set Djokovic was 3-0 down in the second set but battled back to take it 7-5.
Anabel Medina Garrigues kept Spain's hopes alive with a thrilling 6-4 6-7 (3/7) 6-2 win over Ana Ivanovic.
The Spaniard took two hours and 38 minutes to level the tie at 1-1.
Medina Garrigues lost the first two games of the match but hit back to take the set 6-4 with an ace down the middle.
Ivanovic was leading the second set 5-3 but dropped her serve to love and was forced to a tie-break which she won 7-3.
After taking a 3-0 lead the Spaniard again broke her opponent's serve to win the set 6-2 and with it the rubber.
