Tennis: Swiss women beat Australia to win Billie Jean King Cup
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(From left) Jil Teichmann, Belinda Bencic and Simon Waltert of Switzerland celebrating after become 2022 world Champions at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Glasgow on Sunday.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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GLASGOW – Switzerland gave tennis fans in the country still mourning the retirement of Roger Federer something to celebrate as their women beat Australia in Glasgow on Sunday to win the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time.
Two months after Federer, one of the game’s greatest players, bid a tearful farewell in London, his compatriots Belinda Bencic and Jil Teichmann both enjoyed singles victories as Switzerland inflicted more misery on Australia in a competition formerly known as the Federation Cup.
It was Switzerland’s third appearance in the final. They lost to the now-banned Russian team in 2021 – the first edition of the rebranded Billie Jean King Cup – and were also runners-up when Martina Hingis was the key figure in their side in 1998.
“What happened last year gave us extra motivation,” said Bencic, the world No. 12. “We were so heartbroken, I don’t think I have ever cried so much. Afterwards, Jil said we would win it next year and we have. I’m so incredibly proud.”
Team captain Heinz Gunthardt paid tribute to his players and added: “We didn’t win this just today; it was this week, it was actually over years, we tried to get better and better at it. You saw how many close points there were; who knows why we win some and lose some. A lot of it has to do with heart, and this team has a lot of heart.”
Switzerland were superb in Glasgow, not losing a ‘live’ match despite a tough draw.
For Australia, it marked yet another disappointment. Since winning in 1974, they have now appeared in 10 finals, losing every one of them.
King was among the crowd in Glasgow on Sunday and came on court to high-five all the players before the tie started.
Australia’s Storm Sanders, unbeaten in singles all week, defied her lowly world ranking of 237 before Teichmann triumphed 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in a match lasting more than two hours.
“It was a great battle,” Teichmann said. “Storm is playing very good the whole week, I was expecting a big fight. So here I was, getting the fight, and I’m super happy I got the point.”
Bencic, who won the singles gold and doubles silver at the Tokyo Olympics, again impressed in national colours as she overpowered Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-1 to avoid a deciding doubles clash.
“I’m extremely proud of my team,” said Australia captain Alicia Molik. “It was a phenomenal effort all week from the Aussies. We gave it everything.
“But credit to the Swiss team – it was flawless tennis from Belinda.” AFP
