Alicia Molik couldn't be happier with her first game of the season ahead of the Australian Open after demolishing Lucie Safarova 7-5 6-2 in the Australian's first singles match at the Hopman Cup.

Big serving Molik went into the match as underdog, ranked 56 in the world against the 20-year-old's 23rd spot.

But despite a nervous start by Molik and aggressive hitting from the Czech, months of heavy preparation paid off.

After 10 games without a service break Molik finally demolished the Czech's serve to take the first set 7-5 in 41 minutes.

She continued the job with a swift end to the second set, at 6-2.

"I was using my kick serve pretty well today and its certainly worked well against my opponent," Molik said.

"I am very confident, I couldn't have asked too much more of myself.

"The first match of the season you are always a fraction nervy, but I feel like the last month ore or less I have played many many practice sets and matches and I have tried to simulate tournament play."

The former world No.8 was forced off the tour in 2005 by a debilitating illness.

But Molik says she is now in great shape.

"I finished the year very well ... the last couple of months things just started clicking together very well.

"I feel very clear in my mind what to do on the court. I'm a lot better at not confusing myself out there - simple game plan, big serves, big kicks, jump on the forehand follow the ball to the net."

Molik's partner Peter Luczak, ranked 79, meets Tomas Berdych in the men's singles of the tie.

The second-seeded US team of Mardy Fish and Meghann Shaunnessy took out the first tie of the Hopman Cup today after winning both singles matches.

Shaunnessy snatched victory 6-3 4-6 6-3 after India's tennis goddess Sania Mirza suffered leg cramps, with Fish sealing the win with a 6-2 6-4 triumph over Rohan Bopanna.

Mirza recovered to take out the mixed doubles with Bopanna 6-4 6-4.

Shaunnessy is temporarily replacing drawcard Serena Williams after the world No.7 was delayed by illness.

Williams will arrive in Perth Sunday ahead of the US match against the Czechs on Monday, when Australia will play India.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP