France, represented by Chloé Paquet and Ugo Humbert, was beaten (2-1) by Switzerland in the United Cup, a national mixed team tournament preparatory to the Australian Open (January 12 to 26).
A decisive doubles defeat
Package, 123e world and beneficiary of an invitation for the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, was swept away 6-3, 6-1 by the Swiss Belinda Bencic who is attempting a return to the highest level after giving birth to her first child in april. At 27, the Olympic champion in Tokyo in 2021 had not won on the main circuit since her defeat in 8es final at the 2023 US Open. Former world No. 4, she fell to 487th in the WTA this week.
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After Paquet’s defeat, Ugo Humbert (14e world) put the two teams back on level terms with a victory against Dominic Stricker (300e) 6-3, 7-5. But Édouard Roger-Vasselin and Elixane Lechemia lost 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) in the decisive doubles against the Bencic-Stricker pair.
Senegal
