Bencic sends the Swiss into United Cup final

Belinda Bencic remained untouchable with a perfect 8-0 record in United Cup play at this edition as she sent Switzerland on Saturday into a first-ever final at the mixed team event.

The WTA No. 11 combined in the deciding mixed doubles with debutant Jakub Paul to put the finishing touches on a 2-1 defeat of Belgium, with the pair posting a 6-3, 0-6, 10-5 fin in the deciding rubber in Sydney.

Switzerland will line up Sunday night against Poland, which tipped the defending champion United States 2-1 as Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski combined for a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) defeat of Coco Gauff and Christian Harrison in the mixed rubber.

Poland has reached the final for a fourth straight year but will face a huge test against the Swiss

“It should be great matches all around,” Zielinski said seconds after a Harrison return sailed wide on match point.

“Stan (Wawrinka) is a legend in our sport, one of my childhood idols. It will be a privilege to face him (from the bench).

“In a final anything can happen, I just hope we show our best tennis.”

Gauff started strong for the holders, defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek for a fourth consecutive time to claim the first point 6-4, 6-2 for the US.

Hubi Hurkacz, who underwent knee surgery in July and had not played a match before the tournament start nine days ago, beat Taylor Fritz with 16 aces for a 7-6 (1), 7-6 (2) victory to level, setting the stage for the mixed doubles triumph . 

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Bencic, whose 21-month old daughter Bella has served as something of an unofficial mascot for the Swiss team, headed by 40-year-old Stan Wawrnka, started the semi-final tie with a winning third-set tiebreaker over Els Mertens 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (0).

Wawrinka, playing in his 25th and final ATP season and recipient of an Australian Open wild card, has served as playing coach all week. 

He was unable to get past Belgian breakout Zizou Bergs, who won 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 to knot the tie at a win apiece.

“Stan played really well and I really had to battle it out today,” Bergs said. “It was hard to control the ball on return.

It was very hard for me. To get rhythm is very tough. I’m just happy I found the solution.”

Bencic and Paul broke it open though as the pair sprinted to mixed doubles success.

“The team spirit is amazing and it starts with the captain (Wawrinka) ,” Bencic said. 

“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.”

The 81st-ranked Paul, who won just six doubles matches last season, echoed those sentiments.

“It’s easy to find the energy with this team. It’s great to play with Belinda. Hats off to her to play for almost three hours and then come out for the doubles. 

“And great job by Stan to keep Zizou as long as possible on the court.”