Andy Murray and Laura Robson lost their match-up to France which means they cannot qualify for the Hopman Cup final in Perth.

Nicolas Mahut bounced back from the loss of his singles to world number four Murray with an inspirational performance in the mixed doubles as France defeated Britain 6-4 6-2 and took the best-of-three tie 2-1.

Earlier in the day the little and large show of USA pair John Isner and Bethanie Mattek-Sands beat Italy 2-1 in the Hopman Cup on Wednesday to earn their second straight victory at the mixed team event in Perth.

The US now top group B, in pole position to qualify for the final, though France and Italy can still finish ahead of them.

Britain are the only team who cannot make the final.

Mahut pushed Murray hard, getting two set points in the first set and another in the second but the Scot found his game when he needed it to clinch victory.

The French, who had taken the lead when Kristina Mladenovic beat Robson 6-4 3-6 6-0, then outplayed the British pair in the mixed doubles to clinch victory.

Mattek-Sands upset French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4 6-4 to put the US ahead and Isner then beat Potito Starace 7-6 4-6 6-4 to make it 2-0 before the Italians won the mixed doubles 6-7 6-2 10-3.

World number seven Schiavone looked out of sorts against Mattek-Sands, who wore a snazzy all-black outfit, topped off with long black socks and a rose tattoo on the underside of her right arm.

The American used her speed to great effect and showed some useful skills at the net as she denied Schiavone the opportunities to attack she enjoys so much.

One break was enough to win the first set and she then recovered from a break down to win the second for a surprise victory over a player ranked 51 places above her.

"My goal going into this match was to get into the net before she did," Mattek-Sands said. "She's an aggressive player and I was just trying to take her high balls early and not get myself behind the baseline too far."

Isner, who stands almost 13 inches taller than Mattek-Sands at 6ft-9in (2.05m), edged out Starace in a tough three-set battle.

Starace broke serve to lead 4-3 in the first set but Isner hit straight back and then took the tiebreak 7-5.

The American looked tired towards the end of the second set and Starace took advantage to level the match and then forge a 3-1 lead in the decider.

But Isner found his energy levels just in time to win four straight games and then serve out for victory, finishing with his 23rd ace.

"Really, I needed some air conditioning out there today," Isner said.

"When I got broken in the third it kind of freaked me out a bit and I started going for my shots a bit more. It's a great win for me though."

The Americans looked on course for a clean sweep when they won the first set of the mixed doubles on the tiebreak but Starace and Schiavone hit back well to claim what could yet be a vital point.

Reuters