Belgium force Japan Hopman exit

Suzuki gave the Japanese hope - to no avail

Belgium have beaten Japan in the qualifying round for the Hopman Cup mixed teams tournament in Perth, Australia.

Kim Clijsters and Oliver Rochus beat Takao Suzuki and Ai Sugiyama 6-4 6-4 on Saturday.

Belgium have now qualified for the main draw, which starts on Sunday and will be grouped alongside Russia, Slovakia and the United States.

Earlier, Takao Suzuki kept Japanese hopes alive after Clijsters had beaten Sugiyama in the opening match.

I really enjoy playing against the men in the doubles, and I have no troubles with their serves

  Kim Clijsters

The Japanese beat Rochus 6-3 4-6 6-4 to make it all square after Belgium's Kim Clijsters had won the women's singles, beating Ai Sugiyama 7-6 (7/3) 5-7 6-4.

"I am very happy to win with Kim, even though I lost my singles," said 19-year-old Rochus, who comes up against Russian Marat Safin on Monday night.

"Facing Safin is the best match I can have at the start of the season," he said. "It will be a great experience for me."

Clijsters will meet Elena Likhovtseva in Belgium's opening group match and is in confident mood.

"I was quite happy with the level of my play in the singles and doubles against Japan," said Clijsters.

"I really enjoy playing against the men in the doubles, and I have no troubles with their serves."

Defeat for the Japanese pairing followed a similar exit at the same stage last year.

However, Suzuki was not too despondent: "I had a good singles, but not so good in the doubles. Perhaps next year we can come back again and maybe it will be third time lucky."