The United States became the first nation to win back-to-back Hopman Cups after Lindsay Davenport and James Blake won the decisive mixed doubles rubber against the Slovak Republic.

The US pair defeated Karol Kucera and Daniela Hantuchova 6-2 6-3 to claim victory in the mixed team's event at the Burswood Dome.

The eight-nation event continued to draw healthy crowds in Perth with more than 82,000 attending the event again this summer.

Blake praised his partner Davenport, who did not drop a set in a singles or mixed doubles encounter all week.

"As long as I keep getting invited, I'll keep on coming back," said the crowd favourite.

"It's a wonderful way to start the year."

Blake's defeat in the singles to Kucera was the first rubber dropped by the USA at this year's event.

Kucera provided the resistance for his team in forcing a decider by defeating Blake in a thrilling singles rubber while an out-of-sorts Hantuchova barely fired a shot all tournament.

The unseeded Europeans only made the final courtesy of injuries to Australia's Alicia Molik and Belgium's Kim Clijsters.

The Slovaks had won only two of nine rubbers off their own racquets in group B before the final, and the wins were against the lowly Hungary.

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