Switzerland is one win away from its first United Cup title after Belinda Bencic produced a clinical comeback to upset World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in Sydney. Bencic recovered from a set down to win 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, extending her perfect tournament record to a staggering 9-0.
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The victory gives Switzerland a 1-0 lead in the final against Poland. The pressure now shifts to Hubert Hurkacz, who must defeat Stan Wawrinka in the men’s singles match to keep Poland’s title hopes alive and force a deciding mixed doubles rubber.
The match began as many expected, with Swiatek racing to a 3-0 lead and capturing the first set 6-3 with a trademark crosscourt backhand. However, the narrative flipped entirely in the second set as Bencic began to dictate play from the baseline.
Bencic won 12 of the final 15 games, including a 33-minute "bagel" in the second set that left the six-time Grand Slam champion searching for answers. Swiatek struggled with uncharacteristic inconsistency, racking up 36 unforced errors compared to Bencic’s disciplined 10.
“I think the difference today was I played very freely,” Bencic said during her on-court interview. “I was really enjoying myself and I was just really going for it. To be honest, I felt I was in the match from the very first point. I thought I was going great and I was 0-3 down. I just tried to keep the level and wait for some chances.”
The deciding third set remained tight until the fourth game, where Bencic’s aggression paid off. A powerful forehand set up a break point, which she converted with a clinical backhand winner.
Swiatek showed flashes of her legendary resilience, saving two match points with consecutive aces while trailing 5-3. However, Bencic’s composure held. On her third match point, she found the open court with a final backhand winner to secure her second career victory over the Pole.
Match Statistics: Bencic vs. Swiatek
| Statistic | Belinda Bencic | Iga Swiatek |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 | 6-3, 0-6, 3-6 |
| Unforced Errors | 10 | 36 |
| Tournament Record | 9-0 | 4-1 |
| Top 10 Wins (2026) | 2 | N/A |
Switzerland stands on the threshold of history. If Wawrinka defeats Hurkacz, the Swiss will claim the trophy without needing the mixed doubles. For Poland, this match represents a desperate bid to avoid a third consecutive defeat in a United Cup final.
Bencic’s form has been the backbone of the Swiss campaign. With five singles wins and four mixed doubles victories this week, she has solidified her status as the most dominant player of the 2026 tournament.