SYDNEY, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland edged Belgium on Saturday to reach the United Cup mixed-team final for the first time, with women's world No. 11 Belinda Bencic prevailing in sweltering conditions in Sydney.
In the decisive mixed doubles, Bencic and Jakub Paul beat Elise Mertens and Zizou Bergs 6-3, 0-6, 10-5 as Switzerland sealed a gruelling semifinal at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Switzerland will play the winner of Poland and defending champion United States, which meet later on Saturday in a rematch of last year's final.
The women's singles began 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled due to oppressive heat in Sydney, with temperatures peaking at 42 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.
Bencic continued her unbeaten start to the season with a dramatic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (0) win over in-form Mertens in two hours and 38 minutes.
The 28-year-old appeared to be easing toward a straight-sets victory until Mertens turned the match on its head with clutch returning and deft strokes around the court.
Bencic finally seized control in the third-set tiebreak, stepping up her game to reel off seven straight points.
It was a disappointing end for world No. 20 Mertens, who has been in sensational form in Sydney after beating two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova, rising star Victoria Mboko and China's Zhu Lin.
"I was so stressed, I really wanted to do well and today I felt so much pressure to not let my team down," said Bencic, who reached a career high ranking of four in 2020. "I was really focused on myself, on breathing, and I'm super happy that I stayed tough in the important moments."
The men's match was a mirror image, with world No. 42 Bergs emerging triumphant 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 over Stan Wawrinka in two hours and 30 minutes.
It was the third straight victory for Bergs after stunning No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime and No. 18 Jakub Mensik earlier in Belgium's campaign.
Bergs made veteran Wawrinka move around the court to draw first blood, but the three-time Grand Slam champion used his experience to stay in the match and force a tiebreak with clutch serving under pressure.
Wawrinka, in the early stages of his farewell season, wound back the clock and clinched the second set after a trademark backhand sizzled past a despondent Bergs.
But Bergs regained control in the third set when he broke in the eighth game with a gutsy drop shot as a weary Wawrinka watched on helplessly.
"Never underestimate the legends, they have brains, and I really had to battle it out today," Bergs said. "He served really good, so it was very hard for me to get a rhythm. I was happy to find a solution."
The second semifinal between the United States and Poland will be highlighted by a blockbuster women's match between No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 4 Coco Gauff. ■
