ANDY MURRAY has been pleasantly surprised by the success of his fledgling partnership alongside 15-year-old Laura Robson at Hopman Cup this week.

The pair have known each other for just over a year but had never practised, let alone played, together before the mixed teams event in Perth.

Despite that the number three seeds have struck up an instant on-court rapport having won their opening two ties to top Group B and move to the brink of reaching tomorrow’s final. On each occasion it has been their mixed doubles partnership that has clinched the tie, first in a tight match tie-breaker against Kazakhstan before a more convincing 6-3 6-2 win over Germany on Wednesday.

Great Britain have never reached a final of the Hopman Cup and victory over second seeds Russia today in their final group game will be enough to send them through to meet Spain, who have already qualified from Group A.

‘‘Obviously we haven’t played that much together and it takes a bit of time, but I think we’ve done pretty well together,’’ Murray said of his partnership with Robson.

‘‘We started both of the mixed matches really well and went through tough patches. Against Germany we were really good. We only played a few bad games. I’m enjoying playing mixed. It has been a lot of fun.’’ Murray even admitted during the week he would like to team with Robson at the London 2012 Olympics.

Mixed doubles was officially included into the Olympic programme last month, although Robson joked she may not take up Murray’s offer: ‘‘I’ll have to think about it.’’ Asked if she might get a better offer, she admitted; ‘‘Well no, probably not.’’ Murray admits Robson’s reluctance to accept his offer is indicative of their sarcastic friendship, which has helped keep him at ease as he begins his preparation for the Australian Open on January 18.

‘‘I’ve only known her for a year and a half and we haven’t said too many nice things to each other,’’ the 22-year-old Scot said with a grin. ‘‘I guess that’s just how our relationship is. It’s good though.’’ Turning his focus to today’s crucial tie with Russia, Murray is determined to win his third singles match at the tournament against the bighitting world number 35 Igor Andreev.

‘‘I’ve never played with him before, but I practiced with him the first day we got here,’’ Murray said. ‘‘He plays with a lot of top-spin. He’s got a big serve and he’s a big strong guy.

‘‘You don’t want to get in any long rallies with him. I’ll try and keep the ball quite low going through the court because he loves playing on clay when the ball sits up.’’ Robson has lost both of her singles matches so far but is looking forward to playing world number five Elena Dementieva.

‘‘It will be a really good experience because I’ve never played someone ranked that high,’’ she said. ‘‘I’ve got nothing to lose really so I can just relax and play.’’

■ The three seeds in action at the Chennai Open yesterday made comfortable straightsets progress to the quarter-finals.

Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka, seeded third, saw off American Michael Russell 6-3 6-4.

Fifth seed Dudi Sela beat American, Kevin Kim 7-6 (7/3) 6-2. Germany’s Michael Berrer beat Frenchman Stephane Robert 7-6 (8/6) 6-3, while Slovakian Lucas Lacko sunk Robby Ginepri 7-6 (7/3) 6-4.