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Switzerland Defeats Argentina in United Cup Thriller

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 11:38 GMT by The West Australian

Switzerland Secures United Cup Victory Over Argentina, Bencic Leads the Charge

Switzerland defeated Argentina 2-1 in their United Cup clash in Perth, spearheaded by a dominant performance from world No.11 Belinda Bencic. The victory gives Switzerland a strong start in Group E, while Argentina faces an uphill battle to remain in contention. The tie showcased compelling tennis, with Bencic’s form proving pivotal, alongside a crucial doubles victory that sealed the win for the Swiss team.

The day began with Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis upsetting Swiss No.2 Marc-Andrea Hüsler 6-4, 6-4. Hüsler, ranked 87th, struggled to find his rhythm against the tenacious Bagnis (ranked 93rd). While Hüsler displayed glimpses of his powerful serve, unforced errors proved costly, and Bagnis capitalised with consistent baseline play and sharp net skills. This early win provided a significant boost for Argentina, putting pressure on Switzerland to respond. As reported by The West Australian, Bagnis’ victory was a surprise, given Hüsler's previous form and ranking.

However, the anticipated response came swiftly and decisively from Bencic. Facing off against Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska, ranked 77th, Bencic delivered a masterclass, winning 6-3, 6-0. The win wasn’t just about the scoreline, but the manner in which Bencic controlled the match. She displayed exceptional serve accuracy, dictating play from the baseline, and aggressively moving forward to finish points. Bencic’s performance solidified her status as a top player and a key leader for the Swiss team, demonstrating the form that saw her reach a career-high ranking of No.4. The article highlights Bencic’s confidence and aggressive style as key factors in her dominant victory.

Crucially, Bencic wasn’t merely winning points; she was demonstrating the leadership the Swiss team needed. This was particularly evident after the initial setback of Hüsler's loss. Her commanding performance not only levelled the tie but also shifted the momentum firmly in Switzerland’s favour.

The deciding match came down to the mixed doubles, pairing Bencic with Swiss veteran Marco Chiudinelli against Argentina’s pairing of Podoroska and Bagnis. The Swiss duo proved too strong, securing a 6-4, 6-2 victory. Chiudinelli, despite being 32 years old and primarily a doubles specialist, provided solid support to Bencic, complementing her aggressive play with intelligent net play and crucial points.

The mixed doubles match was far from a foregone conclusion. Argentina fought hard, but the Swiss pairing's experience and chemistry proved decisive. Bencic, showing no signs of fatigue after her singles victory, continued her dominant form, while Chiudinelli's veteran presence and tactical awareness proved vital. The United Cup official website details that the Swiss pair quickly found their rhythm, breaking early in both sets and maintaining control throughout.

This win marks a positive start to Switzerland's United Cup campaign. The competition, a relatively new addition to the tennis calendar, aims to blend men's and women's tennis into a single team event, providing a unique format and increased exposure for both tours. Group E also includes Poland and Kazakhstan, making this initial victory even more significant.

Looking ahead, Switzerland will need to maintain this level of performance to advance from their group. While Bencic is clearly the team’s star player, consistent performances from Hüsler and the doubles pairings will be essential for success. Argentina, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to secure wins in their remaining matches to stay in the competition. They will likely rely on Bagnis continuing his strong form and Podoroska finding her rhythm.

The United Cup represents more than just a tournament; it’s an opportunity for teams to build camaraderie and showcase national pride. Switzerland’s victory over Argentina highlights the importance of strong leadership, consistent performance, and effective teamwork – qualities that will be crucial for success in this unique and exciting team competition. The Swiss team’s strong showing, led by the impressive Belinda Bencic, has set a high benchmark for the rest of Group E.