By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Photo credit: United Cup Facebook
United Cup’s top secret led Switzerland into the semifinals.
Belinda Bencic partnered Jakub Paul to power Switzerland past Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi 6-3, 6-3 in mixed doubles clinching the Swiss squad’s 2-1 victory over Argentina at RAC Arena in Perth.
Switzerland won Group C to join defending-champion United States in the United Cup semifinals set for Sydney. Switzerland will play either Belgium or Czechia for a spot in the final. Team USA will play either Poland or Australia in its semifinal.
Asked the secret to the Swiss success, captain Stan Wawrinka offered a one-word reply: “Belinda.”
Indeed, Bencic has had a hand in six of Switzerland’s seven match wins in Group play.
Bencic, who had not previously played with Paul, said familiarity has helped them form a united front.
“I actually know him from earlier. He was also playing against my brother back in the days,” Bencic said. “Yeah, so I definitely know him. I know that he’s a great doubles player right now. He’s winning also a lot of titles in doubles and, of course, climbing up the rankings.
“Obviously I knew how good he can play. It’s more impressive on the court. He’s definitely helping me so much. Stan is, of course, coaching us great. We have great energy on the court, and it definitely feels like when you are playing, you’re not even — let’s say, they don’t even allow you to let them down. They’re always pushing you. You never have time to even think about it, and you are always fighting and just doing the best.”
Former Olympic gold-medal champion Bencic beat Solana Sierra 6-2, 6-2 to stake Switzerland to a 1-0 lead.
Argentina’s Sebastian Baez continued his strong start to the season scoring a 7-5, 6-4 win over Wawrinka. Baez did not drop serve and withstood 11 aces from the three-time Grand Slam champion. Baez scored singles wins over Jaume Munar, Taylor Fritz and Wawrinka this week.
“It was a tough match, of course. I think he played well,” Wawrinka said of Baez. “He went for it. He didn’t surprise me, because I did practice with him before starting here, the week, and with Magnus [Norman], my coach, we saw that he improved a lot compared to last year.
“He was putting more pressure. It was more difficult. Tonight I missed few opportunity to come back or to take the lead. I was thinking a little bit too much on what to do, but mainly because he was putting so much pressure on me, and he was always doing the right thing and always there. So credit to him for playing that well tonight.”
Baez’s victory leveled the tie. Captain Wawrinka stuck with the successful team of Bencic and Paul rather than inserting himself into the mixed doubles and that move proved pivotal.
“It was a dream for me to play. Didn’t think I would be able to play all three matches, because as Stan said, we talked before coming here,” Paul said. “Yeah, luckily for me he played two really long matches. Then, yeah, I could play really well with Belinda.
“It was just great to be on the court, help the team out. Yeah, to have the reassurance from Stan that, yeah, I can play good doubles really helps on court. Then, of course, playing with Belinda is just great.”
Of course, devoted fans will recall Bencic partnering Roger Federer to capture successive Hopman Cup championships for Switzerland in 2018-2019 in Perth. Bencic, who also paired with mentor and 25-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis earlier in her career, said she’s a big fan of United Cup’s format that puts a premium on mixed doubles.
“I love this event. I think it’s very unique,” Bencic said. “I think it creates great views on tennis to put ATP and WTA together. I think people are really excited.
“People are really excited to watch mixed doubles. It’s something different. It’s really exciting. I’m definitely always looking forward for this event, so I hope that it’s going to keep going.”
