The fourth-seeded United States was taken to the wire by a youthful mixed-doubles duo from Serbia and Montenegro here on Sunday before sneaking over the line for a 2-1 win in the Hopman Cup tournament.
Taylor Dent, 24, and Lisa Raymond, a 32-year-old with eight Grand Slam doubles titles to her name, were thoroughly tested by the 18-year-old pair of Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic, who were playing together for the first time.
After being forced to a tie-break in the first set, the Americans emerged 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 winners. The two nations had earlier split the singles rubbers in the Group A opener in the 725,000 US dollar mixed teams event.
Ivanovic, who has raced up from 97th at the beginning of 2005 to her current 16th in the WTA rankings, got her team off to a great start with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Raymond.
The youngster, who said she hopes to reach the women's top 10 this year, made her intentions clear from the outset.
She broke Raymond in the second game of the opening set and again in the eighth game to claim a 6-2 win in just 22 minutes.
Ivanovic made full use of a punishing forehand to race to a 4-0 lead in the second set before Raymond fought back.
The American won four games in a row before Ivanovic steadied to hold and then break Raymond again for the match.
"The first match is always very tough. I like running around my forehand and I feel very confident on that side," Ivanovic said.
"She had some really good shots, she was putting me a little bit under pressure and I was not moving that well.
"I was really pleased I took my opportunities at 4-all and won the set."
Ivanovic, who has spent the last two weeks visiting relatives and training in Melbourne before arriving in Perth, said she hoped to continue her meteoric rise through the rankings.
"That's one of my goals for this year - top 10. I really want it and I have to work hard. There are some aspects in my game I have to improve," she said.
Raymond said the sky was the limit for her opponent.
"She was playing great. I don't know too many players out there she wouldn't have beaten in that first set," the American said. "She's got a great future ahead of her."
Just as Ivanovic brushed past her opponent, Dent made even shorter work of Djokivic, breezing past the Serb Davis Cup player 6-1, 6-4 in just 57 minutes.
Despite the ease of his win, Dent said he had not felt settled.
"I felt a little bit shaky. I think both of us had a tough time. The first match of the year is always rough going," he said.
"I feel like when I'm serving well and guys aren't really getting a good crack at returns, I give everybody a tough time. And when it's not working well, I really struggle."
The Americans were tested early in the mixed doubles with Dent dropping serve in his opening service game before breaking back in the seventh and winning the subsequent tie-break 7-3.
"They started off well and we had to keep hanging in there and hopefully get our nose ahead eventually," Raymond said.
Second-seeds Argentina will play the Netherlands on Monday while Sweden will take on Serbia and Montenegro.
RESULT:
GROUP A:
-- United States bt Serbia and Montenegro 2-1.
-- Women's singles: Ana Ivanovic (SEM) bt Lisa Raymond (USA) 6-2, 6-4.
-- Men's singles: Taylor Dent (USA) bt Novak Djokovic (SEM) 6-1, 6-4.
-- Mixed doubles: Dent/Raymond bt Djokovic/Ivanovic 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
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