Jakub Paul and Belinda Bencic failed to bring the decisive point in mixed doubles. image: Keystone
The Helvetii lost on Sunday in the final of the United Cup against Poland. At the end of the suspense.
11.01.2026, 14:0311.01.2026, 14:25
Switzerland failed in the United Cup final on Sunday in Sydney. Captain Stan Wawrinka’s team lost 2-1 to Poland after Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul lost to Katarzyna Kawa/Jan Zielinski (6-4 6-3) in the decisive mixed doubles.
Belinda Bencic (WTA 11), who had offered the first point to Switzerland by creating the feat against Iga Swiatek (WTA 2) in three sets (3-6, 6-0, 6-3), therefore experienced her only defeat in this competition during the most important meeting. Winner of her first four matches, the duo she made up with Grison Jakub Paul found someone to talk to on Sunday.
Despite their great complicity, Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul were beaten this Sunday.Image: keystone
Experienced doubles specialists, Katarzyna Kawa (33 years old) and Jan Zielinski (29 years old, ATP 34 in doubles) mastered their subject to collect their fifth success in this United Cup and offer the trophy to their team. They had already given victory to Poland in the semi-final against the United States on Saturday.
The regrets will perhaps be more keen on the side of Stan Wawrinka (ATP 156). Beaten in three sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-3) by Hubert Hurkacz (ATP 83, ex-number 6) in the second singles, the Vaudois had his chance at the start of the third set. He obtained two break points in the first game, which his opponent however erased before regaining the upper hand.
Stan Wawrinka had his chance against Hubert Hurkacz.image: Keystone
Bencic fills up with trust
Belinda Bencic was indeed the great lady of this United Cup. The St. Galloise won her five singles, beating two top 10s in the process (Jasmine Paolini in the group stage, and Iga Swiatek). The 500 points won this week will allow him to move up to 10th in the world. And she pulled out all the stops against former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who had won five of their previous six duels.
“It’s always a big challenge against Iga and I try to make her life more difficult each time,” she also underlined during the on-court interview.
“Today (ed: Sunday) I had fun, and I went for this victory. I was able to put her under pressure from the start of the second set.”
Belinda Bencic
Belinda Bencic was full of confidence in this United Cup. Image: keystone
Always capable of surpassing herself when representing her country, Belinda Bencic has six days ahead of her to recharge her batteries before the three shots of the Australian Open. The 2021 double Olympic medalist (gold in singles, silver in doubles with Viktorija Golubic) can strike a big blow in Melbourne if it evolves in the same conquering register.
Exemplary Wawrinka
For Stan Wawrinka, the results are also positive, even if he only won one match. The 40-year-old Vaudois displayed a remarkable level of play during his five singlesand not only in the one he had won eight days earlier against world 27 Arthur Rinderknech. He will also gain around fifteen places in the ranking thanks to this victory which brings 40 points.
The former world No. 3 also (above all) withstood the shock perfectly on a physical level, while he had to go to the limit of three sets four times. Ready to play his 20th and final Australian Open next Sunday, he has wisely given up on playing the ATP 250 in Auckland next week.
Stan Wawrinka also played his role as captain wonderfully. Wearing a t-shirt bearing the inscription “Belinda’s World”, he continued to encourage his teammate throughout the week, very rarely leaving the Swiss box during the St Galloise’s matches. His rage to win and his motivation are more than intact.
(ats/yes)
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