Teaming together for the fifth successive year, Wayne Ferreira and Amanda Coetzer atoned for their loss in the final to the United States three years ago when they won their singles matches against the Thai pair of Paradorn Srichaphan and Tamarine Tanasugarn – but not without a few worrying moments. South Africa got off to a good start when Coetzer defeated Tanasugarn 36 64 64 after the much-improved Thai star had almost snatched victory with a late comeback. Twice Coetzer served for the match – at 51 and 53 – only to get one point in each game and finally a netted backhand error by Tanasugarn conceded victory after 2 hours and 5 minutes. Ferreira then defeated Thailand’s wonder boy Srichaphan 76 63 in 81 minutes, but only after the tie-break went to 14 points to 12 with the South African needing six set points before clinching it and the Thai having two set points of his own. Ferreira had to overcome some inspired play by the 20-year-old Srichaphan, a former ITF International ‘A’ Team member in 1997 and currently ranked 106 in the world, before clinching the Cup, the $200,000 first prize and two diamond-encrusted tennis balls valued at $35,000. South Africa has claimed its first victory in the $900,000 Hyundai Hopman Cup international teams tennis championship at Perth’s Burswood Dome defeating Thailand 3-0 in Perth, Australia. Having secured the title the South African pair completed a clean sweep by winning the doubles ‘pro set’ 8 points to 1. Both Coetzer, who has been playing in the Hopman Cup for eight years, and Ferreira believe the victory will be seen as a significant step forward for tennis in South Africa. “It is really something,” Coetzer said afterwards. “We have tried for so lonlly the fact that it was shown (on television) in South Africa. It really means a lot for me, for us, and I am sure for the people watching at home.” Ferreira concurred, saying ” I think any win for our country is beneficial. It is a team event, which is quite nice too, which is something different from the regular everyday matches that we win, so people get more into it from that aspect.” ” We don’t get to play in South Africa very much, we don’t get to be on the TV that much, so anytime we can be on the TV and win for our country can only boost the game,” he said. Final scores SOUTH AFRICA d THAILAND 3-0 Amanda Coetzer d Tamarine Tanasugarn 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 Wayne Ferreira d Paradorn Srichaphan 7-6, 6-3 Ferreira/Coetzer d Srichaphan/ Tanasugarn 8-1