Switzerland retained the Hopman Cup after Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic prevailed in a sudden-death point which secured victory over German pair Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber.

In an identical line-up to last year’s showpiece, Federer breezed to a 6-4 6-2 win over Zverev, who overcame the Swiss and then world number one Novak Djokovic en route to scooping the ATP Finals title in London last November.

Kerber then levelled the tie at 1-1 for Germany after edging out Bencic 6-4 7-6 (8/6) in the women’s singles rubber before the deciding mixed doubles encounter went right to the wire.

Federer and Bencic ultimately snatched a 4-0 1-4 4-3 (5/4) win after Zverev dumped into the net on the winner-takes-all point as Switzerland claimed the title for a second year in a row.

Federer, now a three-time winner of the event, has beaten Frances Tiafoe, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Cameron Norrie and Zverev in straight sets this week, bolstering his preparations ahead of the defence of his Australian Open crown.

“I’m happy I’m feeling this good and playing as well as I am,” Federer said on the Hopman Cup’s official website.

“It’s good to finish on a singles performance like this. I’m a bit surprised that the matches have gone as well as they have.”