Switzerland Defeats France 3-0 in United Cup Opening Match

United Cup: Switzerland vs. France

Switzerland commenced its United Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over France in Perth on Saturday. The team secured wins in both singles matches and the subsequent mixed doubles encounter.

Stan Wawrinka secured a 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(5) victory against Arthur Rinderknech, concluding the match in three hours and 18 minutes. This result finalized Switzerland's win over France in their Group C opener. Wawrinka announced in December that the 2026 season would be his final year on the ATP Tour.

• Rinderknech claimed the first set with a break in the twelfth game, winning 7-5.
• Wawrinka won the second set in a tie-break.
• Following an exchange of breaks in the third set, Wawrinka won the deciding tie-break, marking his first win against a Top 50 opponent on hard courts since 2024.
• This victory represents Wawrinka's 23rd season with an ATP Tour win (2003, 2005-25).

Arthur Rinderknech, ranked No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings, recorded 27 tour-level victories in the 2025 season, including a final appearance at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Belinda Bencic defeated Leolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-4 in 1 hour and 31 minutes. Bencic dropped the opening game of the match but subsequently maintained a lead.

• Bencic won 23 of 29 points at the net.
• She secured 78 percent of her first-serve points.

Bencic concluded the 2025 season at World No. 11, having started the year at World No. 421 after maternity leave. She was named WTA Comeback Player of the Year for 2025.

Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul collaborated to achieve a 6-2, 5-7, 10-2 victory in the mixed doubles match against Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Switzerland is scheduled to face Italy on Sunday in Perth.