Switzerland first to qualify for United Cup quarterfinals; Team calls for Wawrinka wild card in Melbourne
Team Switzerland became the first nation to secure a spot in the United Cup quarterfinals after a 2-1 victory over Italy
Belinda Bencic, United Cup 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul delivered a clutch performance in mixed doubles early Monday morning to secure a 2-1 victory for Team Switzerland over Italy at the United Cup. The deciding 7-4, 4-6 [10-7] win at RAC Arena moved the Swiss to the top of Group C and established them as the first team to qualify for the Perth quarterfinals.
Bencic Leads Swiss Charge
Captain Stan Wawrinka credited the victory to Bencic’s leadership, noting the team was “living in Belinda’s world again” as she guided the pair through the pressure-filled tie. Bencic, who earned “revenge” in her singles match earlier in the evening against Jasmine Paolini (6-4, 6-3), praised her partner’s energy.
“Kubi was MVP today,” Bencic said of Jakub Paul. “He made it so easy to play together. In the important moments, you just feel like everyone is behind you”. Paul attributed their chemistry to a shared “Czech/Slovak blood” and expressed gratitude for the trust Wawrinka placed in him for the deciding rubber.
Wawrinka Confirms Final Season
The victory was bittersweet for Swiss tennis fans, as the 38-year-old Wawrinka confirmed that 2026 will be his final year on the professional tour. Despite a grueling three-set singles loss to Italy’s Flavio Cobolli (6-4, 6-7, 7-6) – marking six sets played over the first three days of the season after his win against Arthur Rinderknech from France in three tie-breaks – Wawrinka remained upbeat about his physical condition.
“It’s my last year, so I need to spend the maximum of time on the court,” Wawrinka joked. “I can see that physically I’m good. I’m feeling good at the beginning of the year”. Wawrinka admitted he still battles nerves despite his experience, noting a “hesitation” in his game during the tiebreak against Cobolli.
Australian Open Wild Card Questions
The press conference took a sharp turn when the topic of Wawrinka’s Australian Open status arose. While the three-time Grand Slam champion remains uncertain about receiving a wild card for Melbourne Park, his teammates were vocal in their support.
“It’s not even a question,” Bencic said of Wawrinka’s deservingness. “I don’t know what they’re waiting for6. Teammate Luca Castelnuovo added that granting the 2014 Australian Open champion a spot in the main draw should be a “no-brainer”.
With Switzerland safe in the knockout rounds, the United Cup continues on Monday with high-stakes matchups :
- Sydney: Czechia faces Norway in Group D, followed by a heavyweight Group F clash between Alexander Zverev’s Germany and Iga Swiatek’s Poland.
- Perth: Coco Gauff leads the USA against Spain, while Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari aim to keep Greece’s hopes alive against Great Britain.
The tournament, which offers $11.8 million USD in prize money and 500 ranking points, concludes later this week.
