Guillaume Marion, Media365, published on Saturday December 28, 2024 at 12:25 p.m.
In Sydney, during the United Cup, France lost its first match against Switzerland (1-2) and will therefore have to beat Italy to hope to qualify for the rest of the tournament.
The 2025 season got off to a bad start for the Blues. Indeed, while the United Cup began in recent days in Australia, the France team suffered defeat against Switzerland (1-2), during its first match counting for the group stage. During the night from Friday to Saturday, Chloé Paquet, who replaced Diane Parry (injured and therefore forfeited), initially lost to Belinda Bencic. Returning to competition at the end of October after giving birth, the Swiss won against the woman currently ranked 123rd in the world in two sets (6-3, 6-1). Forced to react after this first setback, Ugo Humbert scored his first victory of the season. In Sydney, the French number one, who had not played again since his final at the Rolex Paris Masters, dominated Dominic Stricker in two sets (6-3, 7-5) and seemed happy with his performance of the day.
The Blues will have no choice against Italy
“It was the first game of the year and it wasn't easy after the pre-season. But I felt much better at the end and I am super happy with this victory,” declared the native of Metz, in comments quoted on the official United Cup website. But, back on a tie, France lost the mixed doubles against Switzerland. Indeed, the pair Elixane Lechemia – Edouard Roger-Vasselin was beaten by Bencic and Stricker in two sets (6-1, 7-6). Thanks to this success, the Helvetians therefore take the lead in group D and will try to validate their qualification for the final phase this Sunday. For their part, the Blues will have to beat Italy, who will be able to count on Jasmine Paolini (4th in the world) and Flavio Cobolli (32nd in the world), on Tuesday to hope to continue the adventure in this tournament. A complicated meeting but which still seems within reach of the French.
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