Molik and Shaughnessy lift Australia, U.S.

By Simon Cambers

PERTH (Reuters) - Alicia Molik and Meghann Shaughnessy inspired Australia and the United States to victories on the opening day of the Hopman Cup on Saturday.

Molik won both her matches as hosts Australia upset third seeds Czech Republic 2-1 while Shaughnessy, a temporary substitute for Serena Williams, beat Sania Mirza as the U.S. eased past India by the same scoreline.

Home favourite Molik made an excellent start to what she hopes will be a comeback year by beating Lucie Safarova 7-5 6-2 to put Australia ahead in their Group A match.

The 27-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of eighth in 2005 before an inner ear infection kept her out for six months, won four straight games from 5-5 to take the first set and lead 2-0 in the second.

The Australian hit 13 aces and world number 23 Safarova had no answer as Molik eased through the second set for victory.

"I couldn't have asked too much more of myself today," Molik said.

"I feel like I have prepared very well. I finished the season really well and the last couple of months, things have started clicking together."

World number 79 Peter Luczak had a set point in the opening-set tiebreak before going down 7-6 6-4 to Tomas Berdych, ranked 65 places above him.