The Swiss beat Jasmine in straight sets in the Azzurri’s first match of the day in Perth
Italy’s adventure at the United Cup got off to a bad start. In the Perth Arena Belinda Bencic beat Jasmine Paolini in two sets (6-4 6-3 the score in one hour and 51 minutes), demonstrating why the Swiss was awarded the “Comeback of the year” by the WTA last year, recognition for the best return to high levels in 2025. In the end the score was far too harsh for the Italian number one, but certainly the duo on the bench formed by Danilo Pizzorno and Sara Errani will have to work hard to smooth out Jasmine’s many, too many mistakes, at least in today’s version. The difference, most of the difference at least, between her and Bencic, number 11 in the world, was here: Paolini made too many mistakes, the Swiss was not free from errors, but in a more limited way. In the first set it was a battle. Break at 2-2 for Bencic, who has three more balls to fly to 5-2, but Jasmine reacts, breaks her opponent’s serve and goes to 4-4. In the next game the Italian does not exploit a ball for UL 5-4, Bencic takes advantage, breaks and then closes the set 6-4. In the second it is Paolini who has two balls to go up 2-0, but this time too it is Belinda (with her daughter on the sidelines in her team cheering) who takes the break. With 4-2 in her favor the Swiss has two balls to serve for the match, but everything is only postponed, with Bencic closing 6-3. Switzerland (who dominated against France yesterday) ahead 1-0 and now Flavio Cobolli and Stan Wawrinka will take to the field.