Switzerland beat Belgium 2-1 in a gruelling United Cup semi-final in Sydney, with Belinda Bencic starring to set up a final against the USA or Poland.
SWITZERLAND battled past Belgium in a tense semi-final to reach their first-ever United Cup final.
The Swiss team triumphed 2-1 in searing Sydney heat that exceeded 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
Belinda Bencic put Switzerland on the path to victory with a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/0) win over Elise Mertens.
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“It feels like 170 kilos fell off my shoulders,” Bencic said after her two-hour, 37-minute match.
Stan Wawrinka then fought back to force a deciding set but ultimately fell 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 to Belgium’s Zizou Bergs.
The 40-year-old Wawrinka, playing his final year before retirement, battled for two-and-a-half hours in the extreme conditions.
The tie was decided in the mixed doubles, where Bencic and Jakub Paul defeated Bergs and Mertens in another three-set encounter.
“The team spirit is amazing and it starts with the captain,” Bencic said, praising Wawrinka’s leadership.
Switzerland will now face either defending champions the United States or Poland in Sunday’s final. – AFP
