Oudin, Isner to lead fresh-faced US team at Hopman Cup

PERTH - The US will field a fresh generation of talent at January’s Hopman Cup tennis tournament as breakthrough newcomers Melanie Oudin and John Isner represent the five-time champions.

The US will bid to add to that leading total at the international teams event here from Jan 2.

Number 43 teenager Oudin became the story of the US Open after beating Russian seeds Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva before losing the quarter-finals to eventual finalist Caroline Wozniacki.

The 41st-ranked Isner, a tree-topper at 2.06 metres, upset American hero Andy Roddick in New York before losing in the fourth round to Roger Federer.

Hopman organisers are still working to complete the eight-team field.

Australia are already in place, with Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur onside for the hosts. Russia will field Igor Andreev and Dementieva for the Jan 2-9 competition at the Burswood Dome.