Bencic leads Switzerland into Confederations Cup quarter-finals with victory over Italy – Tennis Now

By Richard Pagliaro Sunday, January 4, 2026
Image source: Manchester United Cup Facebook

Switzerland captain Stan Wawrinka That summed up the team’s mentality before taking on Italy.

“We’re just living in Belinda’s world, so we’re enjoying it,” Wawrinka said of the Swiss star Belinda Bencic.

Bencic led Switzerland into the Confederations Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over third-seeded Italy in a late-night match at Perth’s RAC Arena today.

Bencic then won the opening single Working with Jakub Paul Shocking the two-time defending U.S. Open champion Sara Errani and Andrea Vavasoli In the decisive mixed doubles match, the Swiss team celebrated with a group hug as they beat 7-5, 4-6, 10-7.

Switzerland had reason to celebrate as Italy won their third consecutive Davis Cup title and two consecutive Billie Jean King Cup titles as the team’s dominant force.

None of that mattered to Bencic, who clinched the mixed doubles victory when Errani scored on his final pass attempt.

“I think if it weren’t for this person [Paul]I couldn’t play,” Bencic said. “I’m happy that we played together for the second time.

“Certainly the emotion of the team we’re all really into and I think it shows. Thanks to everyone for staying up. It’s great.”

Former Olympic gold medalist is spoiled Jasmine Paolini The former Wimbledon finalist, who turned 30, beat the Swiss 6-4, 6-3 to take a 1-0 lead.

Italian Davis Cup hero Flavio Coboli set the stage for the decisive singles match by defeating the 40-year-old Wawrinka 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-6(4) in a match that lasted 2 hours and 55 minutes.

While Wawrinka initially set himself up for the decisive double, the captain wisely chose to play Paul alongside Bencic.

Although Bencic is best known for his singles prowess, the world’s 11th-ranked doubles player is also an outstanding and experienced player.

Early in his career, Bencic was paired with mentor and 25-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis. Bencic and her tennis hero Roger Federer won back-to-back Hopman Cup titles for Switzerland in Perth in 2018 and 2019.

Playing alongside Paul, who was nervous at the start of what he called “the most important match of my career,” Bencic steadied the Swiss and helped his team take a set lead.

With Vavasoli’s excellent serve, the Italian team quickly counterattacked to win the second set, forcing the decider to a decisive 10 points.

After Bencic scored two consecutive volleys, the Italian team led 4-2. The Swiss took advantage of Errani’s ground serve, forcing the former French Open finalist to hit several underarm serves without success.

The Italian team, the defending French Open mixed doubles champions, leads 6-5 and is 4 points away from victory. Paul then tied the game with a forehand return winner after reading Errani’s early sneak attack. Bencic volleyed the winning goal, and Paul followed with a dunk.

Bencic attacked Errani’s serve and beat Vavassori with a forehand return winner to give the Swiss a 9-6 lead.

On the second match point, Bencic hit the net and then threw his Yonex racket aside to hug Paul, helping the Swiss advance to the quarterfinals.

Italy, who still qualified for the quarter-finals, won one more point than Switzerland (71 to 70) in a dramatic draw.