abstract:First run in 1887, the Perth Cup is Western Australia's premier Thoroughbred horse race and is held at Ascot Racecourse on New Year's Day each year over a distance of 2400 metres (previously 3200 metres - the distance was changed by former CEO Alasdair Robertson in 2009).
At the Hopman Cup in Perth, Venus Williams continued her fine form as the United States beat France 2-1 for their second victory in the mixed team event.
Robson began the year by playing alongside Andy Murray in the Hopman Cup in Perth, where she beat a top-30 player, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, for the first time.