Jasmine Paolini annihilated Belinda Bencic 6-1 6-1 to seal Italy’s victory over Switzerland and lead help her nation clinch their first triumph at the United Cup.
On Sunday, rising Italian star Flavio Cobolli overcame Dominic Stricker 6-3 7-6 (2) in the opening match of the tie.
Following the outcome of that match, the Swiss needed the former world No. 4 to step up and force a deciding mixed doubles match.
But the two-time Grand Slam finalist gave no chance to Bencic, breaking the 2019 US Open semifinalist a stunning seven times in just 58 minutes of play.
Jasmine Paolini and Belinda Bencic© X screenshot
Since kicking off her post-pregnancy return in late 2024, the Swiss had some solid results in the lower tier and she also defeated Chloe Paquet in her first match at the United Cup.
However, the fourth-ranked Italian was her biggest test yet and it was evident that the 27-year-old was far from her best.
How Paolini ousted Bencic?
Right out the gate, the 2024 Wimbledon runner-up started with back-to-back breaks and an early 4-0 lead.
While the Swiss tennis player managed to get one break back in the fifth game and finally get on the board, it didn’t change much since the Italian earned another break in the sixth game before closing out the opener on her serve.
The second set started the exact same way as the first set since Paolini collected two consecutive breaks and went 3-0 up.
Down by a set and a double break, Bencic got one break back back to cut the deficit to 3-1.
But that was all from the current world No. 487, who then lost her serve in back-to-back games and ended up losing with just two games won.
Now, Italy has a 1-0 record in Group D in Sydney – Switzerland stands at 1-1 – while France has a 0-1 record.
On Tuesday, Paolini and Co. will take on France in the group’s final tie.
Tennis World USA