Bencic Outlasts Mertens in United Cup Semifinal Drama
Belinda Bencic preserved her perfect United Cup run with a gripping three-set win over Elise Mertens, saving her best for the clutch moments that put Switzerland ahead in the semis.
Belinda Bencic walked into Perth Arena with a flawless 6-0 record fueling Switzerland’s charge to the United Cup semifinals, but Elise Mertens tested every bit of that momentum. The Belgian had beaten her in their only prior meeting back in 2021, yet Bencic, now 28 and riding high after straight-set wins over Leolia Jeanjean, Jasmine Paolini, and Solana Sierra, aimed to flip the script on the indoor hardcourts. Mertens arrived battle-tested from three-set grinds against Victoria Mboko and Barbora Krejcikova, following a cleaner victory over Zhu Lin, setting up a clash where precision met resilience under the lights.
“It feels like 170 kilos fell off my shoulders -- I was so stressed; I really wanted to do well, and today I felt so much pressure to not let my team down,” Bencic said afterwards.
Bencic’s heavy topspin forehand dominated early, dipping sharply on the fast surface to claim the first set 6-3 as Mertens’ returns floated short. She targeted the Belgian’s backhand with inside-out angles, stretching the court and forcing errors that echoed through the hushed crowd. Just two games from a 6-4 second set, Bencic watched her lead slip when Mertens denied two chances to level at 5-5, then broke to even the match at one set apiece.
Mertens rallies to force decider
Mertens erased her own 3-1 deficit in the second with aggressive returns, stepping inside the baseline to redirect Bencic’s serves down the line and blunt the Swiss player’s rhythm. Her underspin backhand sliced deep, pulling Bencic forward and exposing tentative footwork after an hour of play. The set ended 6-4 on Bencic’s double fault, the crowd’s energy shifting as Belgium clawed back into the tie, amplifying the stakes for Switzerland’s unbeaten opener.
The third set unfolded like a nerve-shredding standoff, Mertens surging to 3-1 with a crosscourt backhand winner that caught Bencic leaning wide. Bencic steadied, saving two break points at 1-3 with a clutch ace and a passing shot that kissed the line, her breathing measured amid the rising tension. At 5-6, serving at 30-30 and two points from defeat, she paused, instincts kicking in as she swapped to a freshly strung racquet, a move that unlocked nine straight points to seal a 7-6(0) tiebreak after 2 hours and 37 minutes.
Instincts guide the final surge
Bencic’s focus turned inward, her topspin gripping the surface to pin Mertens deep while volleys at net cut off angles in the tiebreak. The Belgian, who had opened her United Cup with a straight-sets win over Zhu Lin, fought with steady defense but couldn’t breach the renewed edge in Bencic’s shots. This victory, putting Switzerland up 1-0, handed the baton to Stan Wawrinka against Zizou Bergs, with a potential first final on the line.
“My brain turned off and let my instincts take over.”
“I think it was just a feeling, and I played with my back against the wall,” she added. “I was really focused on myself, on breathing, and I’m super happy that I stayed tough in the important moments.”
For the latest, check the United Cup: Scores | Standings. Bencic’s resilience on the quick indoor hard, where low bounce amplified her one–two patterns of serve and forehand, turned the semifinal opener into a defining step toward uncharted territory.
