Rumours and guesses were laid to rest yesterday as teams for Hopman Cup XIX were announced. While Spain and defending champions USA had already named their lineups, the rest of the teams remained a mystery. The 19th edition of the tournament, which runs from 30 December 2006 until 5 January 2007 at Perth's Burswood Dome, will showcase Russian world number 5, Nadia Petrova; former world number one and 5 time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, and Australia's own Alicia Molik on the women's side. The men's field sees 4 players in the top 25, with world number 8 and former Hopman Cup champion Tommy Robredo of Spain; number 11 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic; Croatia's world number 12 Mario Ancic, and Russian world number 21, Dmitry Tursunov.

The full lineup and seedings is as follows:

GROUP A

(1) Russia - Nadia Petrova & Dmitry Tursunov

(4) USA - Venus Williams & Taylor Dent

Australia - Alicia Molik & Mark Philippoussis

Korea Rep. - Y J Cho & H T Lee

GROUP B

(2) Spain - Anabel Medina-Garrigues & Tommy Robredo

(3) Czech Rep. - Lucie Safarova & Tomas Berdych

Croatia - Sanja Ancic & Mario Ancic

Winner Asian Hopman Cup (to be played in New Delhi in November)

"These guys and girls reflect the way tennis is played today. If the ball sits up - see you later, it will be belted away. Berdych, Ancic, Tursunov, Molik, Dent, Williams, and Safarova - we are talking big servers and big hitters. There is a reason they are all ranked where they are - big games. Ancic, Robredo and Dent dominate with their big forehands. Tursunov, Berdych, Venus and Petrova tee off on both sides and all know how to finish the point by hitting winners from anywhere on the court. This is the modern game and Australia has a tough challenge ahead of them. Luckily our big servers can match it with the best." said Tournament Director Paul McNamee.

Top seeds Russia will be looking to fulfill their placing at the top by reaching the final on 5 January. While this nation is no stranger to the tournament, Petrova and Tursunov will both be making their debuts in Perth. Petrova has been ranked as high as number 3 and won 5 titles alone this year, while Tursunov claimed his maiden title last month in Mumbai, shortly after putting his country into the Davis Cup final with a marathon 5 set win over Andy Roddick in Moscow. Off the courts he has also been making a name for himself as the ATP's resident blogger with his hilarious behind-the-scenes tales of life on the circuit.

Number 2 seeds Spain make their return to Perth after a 4 year absence. While Medina-Garrigues will be playing for the first time, Tommy Robredo will be back for a third time, having tasted success here on his debut at Hopman Cup XIV. He broke into the top 10 for the first time this year, winning the Hamburg Masters, and hopes to qualify for the year end Masters Cup in Shanghai next month.

The Czech Republic, seeded 3, will add a bit of "amour" to the event with world number 39 Safarova teaming up with her boyfriend, world number 11 Tomas Berdych. Safarova won the Gold Coast event earlier this year and Berdych is touted as one of the rising stars of the men's game, boasting wins over Federer and Nadal, as well as a Masters Series title in Paris.

The USA will be somewhat lower in the seedings as they have been previously, although the defending champions will not be short of experience. Venus Williams knows what it takes to beat the best, as demonstrated by her 5 Grand Slam titles and former world number 1 ranking. Taylor Dent is one of the biggest servers on the ATP tour and won the last Hopman Cup with Lisa Raymond. Both Williams and Dent have been battling injuries in 2006 but are confident of making a strong comeback at Hopman Cup XIX.

Home favourites Australia will see two of the country's most well known faces teaming up. Alicia Molik broke into the top 10 for the first time in 2004 before an inner ear problem halted her career. In 2006, she has been working her way back to the top and will be looking to make the most of the great match practice this tournament offers in the lead-up to the Australian Open. Mark Philippoussis, former world number 8 and two time Grand Slam finalist will also provide great entertainment for local fans and hopes to repeat his feats at Hopman Cup XI where he won the title with Jelena Dokic.

Croatia are unlucky to miss out on a seeding with world number 12 Mario Ancic teaming up with his little sister Sanja. This family affair will no doubt be a huge drawcard for the tournament, as Perth fans witness the up and coming 16 year old play alongside her big brother. Mario is also reknown for his big serves, which have seen him capture 1 title this year, as well as reach the final of 3 other tournaments and the semis of the Hamburg Masters.

Korea Republic will be represented by Y J Cho and H T Lee, strengthening this country's ties with the tournament, which has recently extended its contract with longtime Korean title sponsor, Hyundai until 2012. "Hyundai have sponsored the tournament since its inception so we have a long association with Korea. It is difficult to get a good male and female player from small tennis nations so with the success this year of H T Lee and Y J Cho we were able to invite the Korean Team and they quickly accepted," said McNamee of the debuting team.

The last spot will be taken by an Asian qualifier, who wins the Asian Hopman Cup to be held in India this November. This idea replaces the old concept of holding a qualifying tie the day before the main tournament. The inaugural Asian Hopman Cup will see the likes of Indian stars Sania Mirza and Leander Paes, Thai number 1 Paradorn Srichaphan, and Ai Sugiyama of Japan. This qualifier team, along with Korea Republic will add a distinctly Asian flavour to the tournament, as it forms part of the lead up to the Grand Slam of Asia Pacific - the Australian Open.