Perth, Australia  - Dominik Hrbaty and Dominika Cibulkova led the Slovak Republic to a third Hopman Cup title on Friday with a storming 2-0 victory over Russia.

It marked the second honour at the team competition for veteran Hrbaty, who outlasted longtime friend and rival Marat Safin 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).

Teenaged Cibulkova began the win with an opening defeat of world number three Dinara Safina 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 6-4, her third victory of the week.

Hrbaty teamed with Daniela Hantuchova to lift the honours in 2005, while the Slovaks also won in 1998.

"My partner didn't lose a match, she was incredible," said Hrbaty, who returned from elbow surgery and could be playing in his last season. "She was the one who won this cup for me.

"I'm an old guy with two surgeries, but because of her I gave my best."

The winning side collected a pair of gold tennis balls encrusted with 174 diamonds along with a prize cheque of 175,000 dollars.

"I almost had to beg (tournament director) Paul McNamee on my kness to invite us here again. This is the biggest thanks I could give him for inviting us," said Hrbaty.

Hrbaty overcome more than 20 aces off the racket of the streaky Safin, who teamed with his younger sister for the first and presumably last time in their standout careers.

Hrbaty's win lifted his record to 8-7 against Safin, his frequent practise partner.

"Dominik tried to play the best tennis he could this week and he did," said Safin. "The way he played this week he has a chance to come back and have another 15 years on the tour," he joked.

Added Safina: "I'm happy we played together, they deserved to win, Thanks to my brother for playing with me, I'm happy we played together.

I've been waiting for a long time to play with Marat."

Cibulkova put her brain into neutral and let her instincts take over for a nail-biting 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 6-4 victory against Safina.

The 19th-ranked Cibulkova notched her first ace of the evening to produce a match point, which was followed by a return wide from the Russian.

Cibulkova admitted she encountered a case of nerves as she led in the final set at the eight-nation team competition.

"I was thinking too much," confessed the winner. "I was leading 5-1 and suddenly it was 5-4. I was thinking of the final. But I had to stop and start to play my game.

"I was really fighting, but this is the first time I beat her," said Cibulkova of the world number three Russian. (dpa)