Team World Cup in Prague – Teichmann makes it 1-0 – will Bencic secure the final for Switzerland?

It was not an easy week for Jil Teichmann, but it got better and better. In the first game, on Tuesday against Germany, Viktorija Golubic (45) was preferred to number 39 in the singles, who promptly won against Germany’s Andrea Petkovic. Teichmann was only allowed to play the meaningless double in the opening game, in which she made it 3-0 next to Golubic with a 6: 1, 6: 2.

Against the Czech Republic, the Bielerin had to give way to Marketa Vondrousova in the individual Golubic on Thursday. While the Zurich woman lost to the Olympic silver winner despite a great fight, Teichmann then won the decisive individual alongside Belinda Bencic, which meant the advance into the semi-finals.

Teichmann looked lively and fresh, and so it was only logical that she was allowed to play her first individual of the week in the semi-final against Australia. The 24-year-old two-time tournament winner showed herself again from the best side on Friday evening. She left the unfortunate Storm Sanders (WTA 131) only three points in the first set and won it 6-0 in 18 minutes. In the second round, however, she was not spared the test of nerves. They lost a 3-0 lead, had to allow Sanders to equalize.

Teichmann remained focused and confident, won the important seventh game and ended the game 6: 0, 6: 3 after 63 minutes. This ensured an ideal starting position for Belinda Bencic, who meets Ajla Tomljanovic in the second individual (WTA 43), who is the best-ranked Australian in the absence of world number one Ashleigh Barty. In contrast to the last group game against the Czech Republic, in which Switzerland fell 0-1, Bencic can even afford a defeat – knowing that a form-strong Jil Teichmann would be next to her for a possible decisive double. Of course, the form-strong Bencic does not want to depend on that.

“I was quite nervous but had a lot of support from the team,” said Golubic, “that calms me down enormously.” She played aggressively and was very happy with her performance. “It sounds cheesy, but we have a very cool team and are experiencing an extraordinary week.”

6: 0, 5: 3, so Teichmann hits for victory. But she first has to fend off two breakballs. She manages that, also thanks to her 6th ace. And then she gets her first match point – and uses it with an ace.

Teichmann confidently put away the three lost games and wins the important 7th game in the second set with an ace. That is good for her. And she promptly has two break chances herself in the eighth game. She grabs the first one with a return forehand deep to the baseline that doesn’t come back.

Storm Sanders comes into its own in the second set, but still falls back 0: 6, 0: 3 for the time being. But after 41 minutes, the Australian creates her first game and can finally laugh. Then she plays like a different one, makes her first break, Teichmann gets a break ball in the sixth game, but also loses her third game in a row.

Teichmann is relentless, wins the first set with only three lost rallies after just 18 minutes. “It hit every corner,” says Patty Schnyder on Swiss television.

Teichmann shows off her superiority and self-confidence, and also wins games 3, 4 and 5 of the game. Storm Sanders cannot cope with the diversity of the Bielerin and has now lost twelve points in a row.

It is 6:33 p.m. when it finally starts between Switzerland and Australia. Jil Teichmann serves, she looks relaxed and focused and makes it 1-0 against Storm Sanders. And then she strikes right away, taking the outsider’s first service game.

Almost 90 minutes late, the Swiss women’s semi-finals in the Prague Arena will begin at around 6.30 p.m. The delay was caused by the marathon semi-final between the Russians and the US team, with Lyudmila Samsonova / Veronika Kudermetowa winning the decisive double against Shelby Rogers / Coco Vandeweghe 6: 3, 6: 3. Russia will meet Australia or Switzerland in the final on Saturday (from 4 p.m.).

The start of the game Switzerland – Australia was actually planned for 5 p.m., but has been delayed by at least half an hour. Because the first semi-final turned into a marathon. Liudmila Samsonowa gave Russia the lead against Sloane Stephens after almost two hours (1: 6, 6: 4, 6: 3). After that, Danielle Collins needed 2:42 hours to equalize for the USA against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (6: 7, 7: 6, 6: 2). So the double had to decide.

That was to be expected: After Viktorija Golubic was fielded as a single player alongside Belinda Bencic against Germany and the Czech Republic, world number 39 will also be used in the individual in the semi-finals. The left-hander from Biel meets another left-hander, Storm Sanders. She has never played against the 27-year-old Australian (WTA 131). Then Bencic meets Ajla Tomljanovic (WTA 43) in the number 1 fight. So far she has played against the tall Croatian woman three times. In 2015 she was defeated in Madrid and then defeated in Wuhan, in 2017 the Australian gave up in Dubai after losing the starting set.