Alize Cornet and Benoit Paire clinched the mixed-doubles deciding rubber to pull off a 2-1 conquest of Australia at the Hopman Cup on Wednesday.

Earlier, Cornet overcame a shaky start to get the better of Australia’s Casey Dellacqua 4-6 7-5 6-1 in the women’s singles rubber.

Subsequently, the hosts leveled the tie after Marinko Matosevic defeated Benoit Paire 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the men’s singles clash, before the French duo went on to clinch the mixed-doubles encounter 7-6, 7-5.

“We had to fight, it was three really tough matches and that is what we expect against this great team Australia,” HopmanCup.com quoted Cornet as saying.

She continued: “We are very happy we won our first mixed doubles together. It was a tough one but we fought until the end and I think that is the most important thing.”

Next up, France take on Poland in a must-win situation on January 9.

(Image: hopmancup.com)