United Cup
Bencic and Stricker decide for Switzerland against France in the United Cup
The Swiss provisionally lead Group D
December 28, 2024
Peter Staples/ATP Tour
By ATP Editorial Board
Sydney’s first tie in the 2025 United Cup was packed with excitement.
Belinda Bencic and Dominic Striker beat Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-1, 7-6(4) in the decisive doubles point to give Switzerland victory over France (2-1) in Group D.
The Swiss seemed to be on their way to a comfortable victory after losing just 12 points in the first round, but they needed to push themselves to win in 77 minutes.
“I had seen his matches when he played with Roger, it wasn’t easy for me,” Stricker admitted, speaking of his compatriot Roger Federer. “We had a good conversation before the game and we came out very focused. It’s nice to have managed to win the game and the tie.”
The winners will need to recover immediately to face Italy this Sunday at the Ken Rosewall Arena. France will play Italy on Tuesday.
Ugo Humbert gave France the chance to achieve the feat in the mixed doubles by tying the series with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Dominic Stricker.
“It was the first game of the year, so it wasn’t easy after the preseason. I worked well,” Humbert said. “I felt a lot better at the end and I’m very happy with my victory today.”
Ugo Humbert finished off the 2024 season by signing the best tournament of his career. The Frenchman reached his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the Rolex Paris Masters.
Although the Frenchman did not complete a perfect match against Stricker at the start of the new season, he maintained his composure to achieve victory in two sets.
“I’ve tried to push myself,” Humbert said. “I was running out of strength, so I tried to push a little harder. I played good tennis in the final stretch. It was a good victory for me.”
Earlier in the day, Belinda Bencic had won the first duel of the series by defeating the French Chloe Paquet with sets of 6-3, 6-1 to add her first victory since becoming the mother of her daughter Bella in last April.
“I’m very excited to be back, of course,” Bencic said after her 87-minute victory. “I was a little nervous at the beginning and a little rusty, so I’m happy I accepted it and tried to get over it. And afterwards, I felt like everything was more fluid, I felt a little calmer and I was able to concentrate better on my tennis.”
The series will be defined in the mixed doubles duel. Bencic and Stricker will face Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
Source: https://www.atptour.com/es/news/united-cup-2025-suiza-francia-sabado
