Belinda Bencic carries Switzerland into first United Cup final

Team Switzerland was red hot as it advanced to the final of the United Cup for the first time, edging past Belgium 2-1 in a semifinal tie that was played in scorching conditions and went down to the wire.

Belinda Bencic has been the pillar of the Swiss team, playing every singles and mixed doubles match she has been eligible for—and winning all of them.

On Saturday, Bencic once again did double duty against Belgium, defeating Elise Mertens in a three-set singles battle before returning to the court alongside Jakub Paul to clinch a seesawing mixed doubles victory, 6-3, 0-6, 10-5.

“It feels like 170 kilos fell off my shoulders! I was so stressed; I really wanted to do well, and today I felt so much pressure to not let my team down,” Bencic said after beating Mertens.

“My brain turned off and let my instincts take over. I think it was just a feeling, and I played with my back against the wall. I was really focused on myself, on breathing, and I’m super happy that I stayed tough in the important moments.”

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The tie was played in searing summer conditions in Sydney, Australia, with a severe heatwave warning in effect as temperatures topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bencic kicked off the matchup by defeating Mertens in the opening match, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (0), to give Switzerland an early lead.

Belgium responded when Zizou Bergs outlasted a dialed-in Stan Wawrinka, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3, leveling the tie at 1-1. The three-time Grand Slam champion, 40, is playing his final season before retirement and remains eager to add to his trophy cabinet.

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“The team spirit is amazing and it starts with the captain,” Bencic said, referring to Wawrinka.

“He’s supporting all throughout my match and then he goes out to play his own match and then he’s back to support the doubles.

“It starts with him but then with all the energy from our bench it gives us such a spirit to win.”

Bencic, Mertens and Bergs all returned to the court for the decisive mixed doubles. The Swiss team surged through the opening set but was shut out in the second and fell behind by a mini-break in the match tiebreak.

Bencic and Paul regrouped and recovered emphatically, closing out the match and sealing the tie to send Switzerland into its first United Cup final.

“It’s easy to find the energy with this team. It’s just great to play with Belinda. I mean, just hats off to her to play almost 3 hours and then come out again for the doubles,” Paul said.

Switzerland will face the winner of the semifinal between the United States and Poland. Defending champion United States has won two of the last three United Cup editions, while Poland reached back-to-back finals in 2024 and 2025.