Belinda Bencic shines as Switzerland push into the United Cup QFs | ATP tour | Tennis

United Cup

Bencic shines as Switzerland advances into the United Cup QFs

Captain Wawrinka has spent six hours on the court in two singles matches
January 4, 2026

Belinda Bencic produced a standout all-round performance at the United Cup in Perth on Sunday, as she guided Switzerland past Italy to the quarter-finals.

The 28-year-old first put Switzerland in control with a composed singles win over world number 3 Jasmine Paolini, before returning to the court later in the day to help decide the mixed doubles tie. After Flavio Cobolli leveled the match with a dramatic, decisive tiebreak win over Stan Wawrinka, Bencic teamed with Jakub Paul to defeat three-time major champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori 7-5, 4-6, 10-7.

For the occasion 📈🇨🇭@BelindaBencic and Jakub Paul final. Errani/Vavassori 7-5 4-6 [10-7] to seal the first quarter-final spot. pic.twitter.com/xp1wz7iPgj

— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 4, 2026

“I can’t play without this man,” Bencic said of Paul, who she teamed with to win both mixed doubles rubbers in Perth. “It was a great atmosphere, great emotion from the team, we are all really looking forward to it with our hearts.”

The result secured Switzerland top spot in Group C with a perfect 2–0 record and sent them to the quarter-finals of the United Cup for the first time in the tournament’s history. Captain Wawrinka, who has spent six hours on the court in his two matches, is in his final season on the ATP Tour.

Cobolli, the No. 22 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, had earlier produced a stellar performance to outlast Wawrinka in a gripping 2-hour, 50-minute battle. The pair thrilled the RAC Arena crowd deep into the deciding set, with Cobolli producing the shot of the match – a full-stretch forehand winner on the run – to earn a crucial mini-break in the final set tie-break and improve to 2-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Earlier in the match, Bencic laid the foundation with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Paolini in 1 hour and 53 minutes.

“I’m very happy with today’s match,” Bencic said on the pitch after the one hour and 53 minute match. “I was very close to losing to her at the end of last season. I really had to remember that ‘now that it’s my time, I can do it.’ I thought it was a bit mental today.”

Bencic improved to 2-0 in singles after also beating Leolia Jeanjean on Saturday. Paolini will next face Jeanjean when Italy and France meet in the upcoming match.