Bencic defeats Kerber as Switzerland end Germany's Finals journey

Then there were two. Somewhat fitting for the so-called Group of Death, its make-up will be determined by one more heavyweight battle after Switzerland dispatched Germany to kickstart their Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Finals title bid.

Switzerland sealed victory courtesy of singles triumphs for Viktorija Golubic over Andrea Petkovic and then Olympic singles champion Belinda Bencic against three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber – the latter a blockbuster showdown.

Further gloss was then added to the scoreline by Golubic and Jil Teichmann as they dispatched Anna-Lena Friedsam and debutant Nastasja Schunk in the doubles.

The Swiss now face a winner-takes-all clash with hosts Czech Republic on Thursday, with the victors finishing at the summit of Group D and sealing a place in the semi-finals. Defeat this evening, meanwhile, proved the end of the road for Germany.

Whether it be her stunning performance at Tokyo 2020, where she won singles gold and doubles silver with Golubic, Bencic consistently states that national service elevates her level of performance. Tonight was further evidence to substantiate such a claim.

“I don’t know whether it is just the change of dress to red and white, but it brings out something special in my game,” said Bencic.

“I don’t play for myself, I play for my teammates and my country and this is the biggest pride any athlete could have. I felt it the strongest at the Olympics to represent Switzerland. For me, it brings out the best in me and it is doing so here.”

Attention now turns to Switzerland’s tussle with Czech Republic, which could well involve another high-octane clash for Bencic, this time against world No. 3 Barbora Krejcikova. The duo met in the summer at the Olympic Games, with Bencic prevailing 1-6 6-2 6-3.

“What can you have bigger in tennis than to play the biggest names on the biggest courts? It is what you work for and what I have worked for all my life,” added Bencic.

“For sure, in this moment, I don’t realise it but before and after I am very excited and it is my dream come true. I am looking forward to Thursday, we all are. We hear that it is sold out. The O2 Arena sold out, it cannot get better.

“I hope the atmosphere will be great. I hope this atmosphere will help us and I will use it. Even if they cheer for the opponent, it will help us to perform and to give our best.”

Following defeat to Czech Republic on Monday, the equation for Germany heading into this evening was, in the first instance, very simple. If they failed to beat Switzerland, they would be eliminated from the Finals.

Victory would keep them in the mix for a semi-place, but they would still require the Swiss to overcome Czech Republic. If that scenario played out, then it would come down to the calculator and a delve into match, set and game win-loss records.

The most pressing concern, however, was trying to beat Switzerland. Petrovic, who was visibly upset as she slipped to an agonising defeat against Marketa Vondrousova yesterday, led their charge in the opening showdown with Golubic. For Petkovic, however, it was an inauspicious start.

Golubic arrived in Prague boasting a career-high singles world ranking of No. 45 – 31 places higher than her opponent – and twice broke her rival’s serve in quick succession to storm into a commanding 4-0 lead.

Under the cosh, Petkovic instigated a fightback and won the next three games without reply, although it proved too little, too late as Zurich-born Golubic closed out the first set 6-4.

Petkovic had lost four of her previous five Billie Jean King Cup singles matches, with her only win during that time coming against Jelena Ostapenko in Germany’s World Group Play-off victory over Latvia in 2019.

However, the 34-year-old was an integral member of the Germany team that reached the final in 2014 and refused to go quietly, working her way into contention before failing to convert a break point while leading 4-3 and then three sets points.

These proved costly misses as Golubic immediately broke the Petkovic serve and maintained her composure to hold her own serve, with Golubic enthusiastic in her celebrations as Switzerland landed the first blow.

“There was a lot of passion and emotion in my celebration and that’s what it means to win for Switzerland,” said Golubic. “I have a lot of energy and sometimes I have to show it somehow.

“It is very emotional to play for Switzerland, to have a whole team behind you. I feel I have the support of them, which is very touching. There is no better feeling than to get a point for your country.

“I have had a very good year, but also age-wise I am in a good spot. I have some experience but at the same time I have never been as fit as I am now. Also, mentally and in the understanding of my game, now is very good and I hope to have some good years to come.”

Germany’s involvement at the Finals was now dangling by a thread and their immediate future rested with world No. 9 Kerber, who faced a must-win showdown with Bencic.

Left-hander Kerber, who was hugely instrumental as Germany reached the 2014 final, entered the clash in form, having defeated Krejcikova on Monday.

The opening set went with serve, although Bencic, despite manoeuvring into position to strike with some dainty and creative stroke play, failed to convert three break points at 5-5.

It was then the turn of Kerber to turn the screw as she chalked up three set points against the Bencic serve, and while the Swiss saved two, she was powerless to recover the situation and succumbed 7-5.

But as the last year has shown, Bencic has significant pedigree and she stormed back into contention with a hugely progressive second set, in which she twice broke Kerber to post a 6-2 triumph and haul herself level in the match.

The pendulum appeared to the swinging the way of Bencic following an early break in the decisive third set, although Kerber replied with a break of her own to raise the temperature of the tie even further.

Much depended on the fifth game, a seesaw battle that ebbed and flowed but one eventually claimed by Bencic, who broke the Kerber serve once more. From here, the 24-year-old refused to relinquish control and a jubilant Bencic triumphed 5-7 6-2 6-2.

“The first set was very tight and I got nervous at the end and didn’t use a lot of chances I had to break her, which was very upsetting,” said Bencic. “But I use it as motivation when I get angry and upset with myself, and I want to win even more. I kept fighting.”

The Swiss then powered home in the doubles to ensure a clean sweep after a convincing 6-1 6-2 success for Golubic and Teichmann.