federation cup
Bencic pushes Switzerland to the brink of Fed Cup qualifying
Switzerland 1-0 Italy Wawrinka vs. Coboli
January 4, 2026
Tennis Australia
Belinda Bencic defeated Jasmine Paolini in straight sets in Perth on Sunday.
Author: ATP/WTA Staff
Belinda Bencic helped Switzerland beat Italy’s Paolini 6-4, 6-3 to take a 1-0 lead and ensure the Swiss reached the Fed Cup quarter-finals.
Stan Wawrinka’s victory over France’s Arthur Rinderknech in a thrilling three-hour match on Saturday over Flavio Cobolli in the men’s singles could ensure the Swiss top Group C spot. If Coboli equalizes, the mixed doubles will be the deciding factor.
Miss Switzerland🇨🇭@BelindaBencic Let Switzerland play Italy. pic.twitter.com/LWpssSMTh9
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 4, 2026
In the first set, Bencic and Paolini broke serve five times in a row, with Bencic’s backhand cross-court return surpassing the Italian in the fifth game. Bencic was the first to hold serve in the match and extended his lead to 4-2 against the world No. 8 player. Bencic has lost to the world No.8 twice in 2025 – a thrilling three-set match in Ningbo and last year’s Fed Cup group stage.
“I’m very happy with today’s game,” Bencic said on the court after one hour and 53 minutes of play. “I lost to her very close at the end of last season. I really had to get my mind together and be like, ‘This is my time and I can do this.'” I felt a little unhinged today. “
Paolini quickly recovered and maintained his serve. He broke back three times and then broke Bencic’s serve to tie the score at 4-4.
Just as Paolini was gathering momentum, Bencic stopped and beat Paolini with a running backhand pass, one of 10 backhand winners on the night. The world number 11 then held serve and won the set 6-4.
Despite holding serve in the second set, Paolini dropped three of the next four games. She held her serve and needed seven game points in the tie, while Bencic had a tough task holding on to break serve at 4-3. Bencic broke Paolini’s serve for the sixth time and ended the game again, giving the Swiss team a 1-0 lead.
Bencic defeated Liolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday and now has a 2-0 singles record. Paolini will face Jean-Claude in Italy’s next match against France.
