The Sydney part of the United Cup kicks off with France and Switzerland on Saturday morning. The Swiss team has a couple of players on a protected ranking in the singles, but both Belinda Bencic and Dominic Stricker have shown signs of slowly improving their form already. It could be a matchup that goes to the mixed with France having a bit of a lop-sided line-up. Who do you think will take the first match in Group D?
United Cup Day 2 Predictions: France vs Switzerland
Chloe Paquet vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Belinda Bencic played just ten singles matches in 2024, but her last appearance in Angers was quite fruitful with plenty of time spent on the court and a final run at a WTA 125. It seems like the Swiss got exactly what she wanted from that event and should be ready to come back big-time now. She’s been around forever but she’s only 27 and has plenty of time to find the game from her prime again. Based on how she was playing in early December, she should be able to take down Chloe Paquet somewhat handily.
Prediction: Bencic in 2
Ugo Humbert vs Dominic Stricker
Head-to-head: Humbert 1-0
Dominic Stricker had a really rough time in 2024, spending five months off the court with an injury and then only getting going around the late indoor events in Basel/Stockholm. Now it’s time to start rebuilding and his protected ranking for the Australian Open should help. A matchup of two lefty big hitters could suit him, but Ugo Humbert might be too much before Stricker properly finds his footing again. He’s fully capable of going on a run of a few consecutive great games though.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Leolia Jeanjean/Edouard Roger-Vasselin vs Belinda Bencic/Dominic Stricker
Head-to-head: First meeting
Mixed used to be a very strong point for the French team at the United Cup, but now Edouard Roger-Vasselin will have to join forces with a weaker partner than Caroline Garcia or Kristina Mladenovic. His doubles class might still be enough to carry them in some matches. But don’t sleep on Belinda Bencic, who used to peak in mixed alongside Roger Federer at the Hopman Cup, while Dominic Stricker has also achieved considerable doubles success. The French have the edge, but it’s not by much.
Prediction: Jeanjean/Roger-Vasselin in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
