New mum Bencic wins first tour-level match since 2023 US Open

SYDNEY: Former Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic won her first tour-level match since the 2023 US Open Saturday at the United Cup as she ramps up her comeback after giving birth.

The 27-year-old Swiss star, a one-time world number four who is now ranked 487, took down France´s Chloe Paquet 6-3, 6-1 on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, winning 10 of the last 11 games.

While she tentatively returned to the court at low-key events in November after having a baby in April, it was her first win at tour-level since her third-round victory at the 2023 US Open.

Her teammate Dominic Stricker crashed 6-3, 7-5 to Ugo Humbert in their singles rubber to send the tie to a deciding mixed doubles.

Bencic fronted up again alongside Stricker to down Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Elixane Lechemia 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) to earn Switzerland the win.

She said it was encouraging to beat Paquet, who broke into the top 100 for the first time last year.

“I´m really excited to be back, of course,” said Bencic, who won Olympic gold at the 2021 Tokyo Games and has eight career WTA titles to her name.

“I had a little bit of nerves at the start and a little bit of rust, so I´m happy I kind of accepted that and tried to fight through it.

“And after, I felt like it went smoother, I became a little bit more calm, and kind of was more able to focus on my tennis.”

The 18-nation mixed-team United Cup is being played in Perth and Sydney.

Each team features three men and three women, with ties comprising one men´s and one women´s singles and an often decisive mixed-doubles clash.

The Alex de Minaur-led Australia meet Argentina in Sydney later.

Canada and Croatia kick off the action in Perth with Greece´s Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari headlining the evening action against Spain.

The tournament began on Friday with Spain crashing 2-1 to Elena Rybakina´s Kazakhstan, while China swept past Brazil 3-0.