Team Germany and Team Netherlands will make their debut against one other at the 2026 United Cup on Sunday, with all eyes on world #3 Alexander Zverev in Sydney. Meanwhile, Team Italy and Team Switzerland will battle in Perth, featuring Stan Wawrinka and Jasmine Paolini looking to build strong 2026 seasons — both at very different stages in their careers. LWOT predicts the matches below.
United Cup Day 3 Predictions
Jasmine Paolini vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head: Paolini 2-1 Bencic
The pair faced off at the 2025 United Cup, where Paolini crushed Belinda Bencic 6-1 6-1. This time, however, Bencic is coming off a steady win on Saturday, shaking off nerves. The Swiss #1 has experience at team events, teaming up with legend Roger Federer in 2018 and 2019 to win the Hopman Cup. While Paolini won both of their matches in 2025, I’m going for the slight upset with Paolini lacking the match play in 2026, and Bencic surely looking for revenge after a poor showing last January. The Italian should not be overlooked, as her powerful game is suited for these fast courts.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
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Flavio Cobolli vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-head: Cobolli 1-0 Wawrinka
This should be a fun match, with Flavio Cobolli looking to rise the ranks in 2026, and Wawrinka hoping to dazzle fans for one more season. Wawrinka put on a vintage performance against Arthur Rinderknech on Saturday, defeating the Frenchman 7-6 in the third. But the 40-year-old is not as sharp and fit as he used to be, and Cobolli is an all-court player who is fully able to drain a player already low on energy. Wawrinka probably won’t be able to back up his first 2026 win, and the Italian will cruise after a close first set.
Prediction: Cobolli in 2
Eva Lys vs Suzan Lamens
Head-to-head: first meeting
Eva Lys is 23 years old, but entering what is effectively her sophomore season after a 2025 breakthrough. There’s always heavy pressure backing up a good year, especially with Lys having to soon defend fourth round Australian Open points. But the German is a bit more aggressive and had a far better season than Suzan Lamens. A nervous and rusty Lys could easily mean the Dutch #1 pulls off the upset in their first meeting at tour-level – but Lys should have the edge
Prediction: Lys in 3
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Alexander Zverev vs Tallon Griekspoor
Head-to-head: Zverev 8-2 Griekspoor
Zverev has quite a big lead in this matchup, but Tallon Griekspoor has a crafty game that often seems to trouble the German. Indeed, when Zverev was a heavy favourite during their 2024 French Open match, the Dutch pushed the match into a fifth-set tiebreaker. Griekspoor also upset Zverev last year at the BNP Paribas Open, when Zverev was in the running for the world #1 ranking.
Griekspoor uses the net to his advantage, and that may be a useful tactic on these faster Sydney courts. But Zverev knows how to win at the United Cup, leading Team Germany to a 2024 tournament victory, and he should have enough to win here – even if it is a close two-setter.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Main photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
