Switzerland's United Cup success kicked off with its team leader, Belinda Bencic, showcasing her prowess and determination on the court. Bencic, who returned from maternity leave, led her team to victory by scoring two wins against France, securing Switzerland's 2-1 triumph at the United Cup held at the Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney.
Bencic’s performance marked her comeback to the highest level of tennis after becoming a mother. She first triumphed over France's Chloé Paquet, currently ranked 123rd by the WTA, with scores of 6-3, 6-1, wrapping up the match just 87 minutes later. Following her singles match, she partnered with Dominic Stricker to win the decisive mixed match against Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, finishing 6-1, 7-6.
Despite Stricker's earlier defeat to Ugo Humbert, ranked 14th, Bencic proved instrumental to the Swiss victory. After losing the first set of the mixed doubles match by only 12 points, Bencic commented on her synergy with Stricker, expressing, "It's so easy when he's on serve. I'm just chilling at the net, not touching the ball, so it's super cool to play with him and we had great energy on the court."
Bencic, the 2021 Olympic gold medalist, revealed her nervousness coming back to the sport but gradually found her rhythm. "I had a little bit of nerves at the start and a little bit of rust, so I'm happy I accepted it and tried to fight through it. After, it felt smoother, I became calmer, and focused on my tennis," she remarked after her singles win.
Dominic Stricker faced quite the challenge against Humbert, needing to shake off his early season jitters. Humbert managed to clinch the second match after maintaining composure throughout the hard-fought sets. "It was the first match of the year, so it was not easy after the preseason. I worked well," he said, illustrating the significance of this early match as both players aim to build momentum for the rest of the competition.
With Switzerland's victory secured, all eyes now turn to their next challenge—taking on Italy, likely featuring top player Jasmine Paolini, ranked 4th by WTA, meaning Bencic’s path to success is poised to escalate. A win against Italy would assure team Switzerland’s progression to the quarter-finals of the United Cup, where six group winners and the two best runners-up will enter the knockout rounds.
Reflecting on her new role as both parent and elite athlete, Bencic shared her excitement about motherhood, saying, "We couldn't be happier at the moment. We are parents now, our lives have changed, but definitely for the best, and yeah, we are super excited with Bella. She's here, we survived the flight to Australia, and I'm really, really happy." Her determination to balance personal and professional life adds another layer to her remarkable return to professional tennis.
Switzerland’s victory against France not only allows them to take pride but also sets the stage for future clashes as the team aims for success at the United Cup. The combination of Bencic's experience, skill, and her relationship with Stricker suggests they've formed a formidable duo on the court.
Overall, the United Cup serves as both competition and celebration of new beginnings for Bencic, marking her return to the sport with confidence and the ambition to achieve great things alongside her teammates.
Fans can look forward to her next match against Italy, where ambitions run high and stakes even higher for Switzerland's team leaders. With her resurgent form and spirit, Bencic is ready to face any challenges thrown her way.
