Belinda Bencic delivered a stirring performance at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, rallying from a set down to defeat world No. 2 Iga Świątek 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 and give Switzerland a surprise edge over Poland in the United Cup final on January 11, 2026. With the Swiss team now leading, all eyes turned to veteran Stan Wawrinka and Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who were set to battle in the next singles match as the tie’s fate hung in the balance.
Coming into this high-stakes encounter, Bencic had been in red-hot form, winning all four of her singles and four mixed doubles matches throughout the tournament. Yet, the odds seemed stacked against her—she had lost her last five matches against Świątek, the former world No. 1 and a six-time Grand Slam singles champion. The opening set only reinforced those expectations, as Świątek raced ahead, taking it 6-3 with her signature blend of power and precision.
But if there’s one thing tennis fans have learned, it’s to never count Bencic out. The Swiss No. 11 shifted gears at the start of the second set, rattling off nine consecutive points and capturing the set in a lightning-quick 33 minutes. Suddenly, the momentum had swung, and the crowd could sense something special brewing under the Sydney sun.
"To be honest, I felt I was in the match from the very first point," Bencic said after her win. "I thought I was going great and I was 0-3 down. I was ‘OK, what do I have to do.’ I think I just tried to keep the level and just wait for some chances." Her patience paid off in spectacular fashion as she played with increasing freedom and confidence, pushing Świątek onto the back foot.
The decisive third set became a test of nerves and resilience. At 2-1, Bencic seized a crucial break, unleashing a powerful forehand that left Świątek scrambling. While the Polish star fought valiantly, saving two match points with consecutive aces, her game was marred by an uncharacteristic 36 unforced errors—far outstripping Bencic’s tidy 10. The final blow came on Bencic’s third match point, a sublime backhand winner into the open court that sealed the upset and sent Swiss fans into raptures.
"I think the difference today was I played very freely, I was really enjoying myself out on the court and I was just really going for it," Bencic reflected. Her ability to stay composed under pressure has been a defining feature of her United Cup campaign, and it was on full display against one of the sport’s most formidable opponents.
The United Cup final itself has been a showcase of tennis at its most dramatic, with both Switzerland and Poland navigating thrilling routes to the last day. Poland punched its ticket to the final after Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski clinched a tense mixed doubles decider against Coco Gauff and Christian Harrison, winning 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) on January 10. Earlier that day, Gauff had stunned Świątek with a 6-4, 6-2 victory—her fourth straight win over the Polish star and a reminder that the women’s game is brimming with rising talent and shifting rivalries.
Hubert Hurkacz also played a pivotal role in Poland’s journey, edging out Taylor Fritz 7-6 (1), 7-6 (2) in the singles opener at Ken Rosewall Arena. With the tie locked at 1-1, the mixed doubles showdown became the stuff of tennis folklore, as Kawa and Zielinski—already heroes for their quarterfinal heroics against Australia—delivered once again. Świątek, ever the team player, rushed onto the court to join the jubilant celebrations.
Switzerland’s path to the final was no less dramatic. In their semifinal, Bencic teamed up with Jakub Paul to down Belgium’s Elise Mertens and Zizou Bergs 6-3, 0-6, 10-5 in the deciding mixed doubles. Paul, a relative newcomer to the big stage, showed nerves of steel, cracking down-the-line winners at crucial moments. "He’s so brave it’s unbelievable," Bencic said of her partner. "I tell him to go (for it) and he actually goes. It’s crazy."
Earlier in that tie, Bencic had extended her undefeated season-opening singles run by outlasting Mertens 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (0), putting Switzerland ahead 1-0. The match was a rollercoaster, with Mertens mounting a late charge and nearly stealing the third set. But Bencic, ever resourceful, changed to a freshly-strung racket at a critical juncture and rattled off the last nine points. "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 admitted. "My brain turned off and let my instincts take over. I think it was just a feeling."
Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss stalwart and three-time Grand Slam champion, has also been a central figure in this United Cup campaign. Though he fell to Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in the semifinals, his presence and leadership have been invaluable, especially as he prepares for retirement at the end of the season. The turning point in his match came in the eighth game of the third set, when Bergs broke serve to take a decisive lead.
The final in Sydney has unfolded against a backdrop of searing heat, with tournament organizers moving start times up by half an hour to contend with temperatures soaring to 43 Celsius (109 Fahrenheit). Such conditions have tested even the fittest athletes, making Bencic’s stamina and mental toughness all the more impressive.
Bencic’s run in Sydney has been nothing short of remarkable. In her first three matches at the United Cup, she didn’t drop a set, and even when pushed to the brink by Mertens, she found another gear. Her ability to adapt—whether by shifting tactics, changing rackets, or simply trusting her instincts—has been a masterclass in competitive tennis.
As the United Cup final continues, the spotlight now shifts to Stan Wawrinka and Hubert Hurkacz. With Poland needing a win to stay alive, the Swiss team stands on the cusp of a potential triumph, while the Poles are determined to turn the tide. The drama is far from over, and fans around the world are glued to every point, wondering who will seize the moment in Sydney’s sweltering heat.
For now, Belinda Bencic’s heroics have given Switzerland the upper hand, but with more tennis yet to be played, the United Cup trophy remains up for grabs. The stage is set for a thrilling finish as two talented teams battle for glory under the Australian sun.
