Belinda Bencic completed a double duty for Switzerland today after she also won her mixed doubles match with Jakub Paul to send her nation into the United Cup final.
In a deciding mixed doubles match, the Swiss duo edged out Belgium’s Elise Mertens and Zizou Bergs 6-3 0-6 10-5.
In the first set, one break of serve was enough for Bencic and Paul to take the opener.
After not doing much in the first set, Mertens and Bergs drastically raised their level in the second set, bageling their rivals to force a match tie-break.
Soon it went from bad to worse for Bencic and Paul after they also dropped the opening two points of the match tie-break. But then, the Swiss duo showed great mental strength as they went on a four-point run and lost only three more points in the rest of the tie-break.
For the Swiss pair, it was their fourth mixed doubles match at this year’s United Cup – they have a perfect 4-0 record.
In the United Cup final, Switzerland will battle against the winner of the tie between the United States and Poland.
Bencic also came up big in singles today
In the opening match of the Switzerland and Belgium tie, Bencic overcame Mertens 6-3 4-6 7-6 (0).
“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," the top-ranked Swiss female tennis player said after beating Mertens.
"My brain turned off and let my instincts take over. I think it was just a feeling, and I played with my back against the wall. I was really focused on myself, on breathing, and I'm super happy that I stayed tough in the important moments."
Since Bergs defeated Stan Wawrinka in the second match, it came down to mixed doubles, where Bencic and Paul delivered for Switzerland.
