Stan Wawrinka lost in three sets in grueling Sydney heat of more than 40°C, but Switzerland beat Belgium yesterday to reach their first United Cup final.
Switzerland won 2-1, with Belinda Bencic playing a starring role, and will face either holders the US or Poland in today’s decider.
The Olympic champion Bencic put Switzerland on their way in the semi-finals with a battling 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/0) win over Elise Mertens in 2 hours, 37 minutes.
Photo: EPA
“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,” Bencic said.
Then it was over to the 40-year-old Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion who was on Friday handed a wildcard to the Australian Open starting on Sunday next week.
Wawrinka, playing his final year before retirement, fought back to force a deciding set against Zizou Bergs, but the Belgian ultimately won 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 in two-and-a-half hours in the searing heat.
That meant the semi-final went down to the mixed doubles, with Bencic and Jakub Paul defeating Bergs and Mertens in another three-set battle.
“The team spirit is amazing and it starts with the captain,” Bencic said, referring to Wawrinka. “He’s supporting all throughout my match and then he goes out to play his own match and then he’s back to support the doubles.”
“It starts with him, but then with all the energy from our bench it gives us such a spirit to win,” he said.
Poland and the US were battling for the last spot in the final at press time last night, with Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz beating Taylor Fritz 7-6(1) 7-6(2), but the US coming back with Coco Gauff defeating Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-2.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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