What a week it’s been for Team Switzerland at the United Cup.<\/p>\n
Into the semifinals for the first time, the team has been led by Belinda Bencic, who has won all six of her matches — three singles, three mixed doubles — and has yet to drop a singles set.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Throughout the week, as the wins have been racking up, captain Stan Wawrinka has repeatedly mentioned — both to reporters and in post-match interviews — that we’re all living in “Belinda’s world.”<\/p>\n
He even revealed a customized Belinda’s world T-shirt when the team was visiting Kings Park, a botanical garden in Perth. He opted not to wear it during Thursday’s tie, a 2-1 win for Switzerland over Argentina that sent them to the semis.<\/p>\n
In the post-match press conference, the shirt — and when it will be worn — was discussed.<\/p>\n
“Maybe I’ll wear it tomorrow traveling to Sydney,” Wawrinka said, after noting that Bencic is the key to the team’s success.<\/p>\n
“So it’s only a travel shirt,” the 2025 WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz Comeback Player of the Year quipped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The World No. 11 said she expects the captain to wear it on the bench during the semis, and Wawrinka agreed.<\/p>\n
Thursday’s quarterfinal had plenty of drama. Bencic started the tie off with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Solana Sierra, but Argentina leveled the tie after Wawrinka fell to Sebastian Baez. In the mixed-doubles decider, Bencic and Jakub Paul won their third consecutive match, defeating Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi 6-3, 6-3.<\/p>\n
“It’s a great feeling to start a season well,” the 28-year-old said after the matches. “Of course, it’s what you hope for, to kind of keep going how last season ended, to keep the momentum. … Now I think it’s time to focus on Sydney.”<\/p>\n
Earlier in the week Bencic won singles matches against Leolia Jeanjean and World No. 8 Jasmine Paolini.<\/p>\n
Team Switzerland will play either Czechia or Belgium in the semifinals, in Sydney, on Saturday, Jan. 10.<\/p>\n
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