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Belinda Bencic Olympics Billie Jean King Cup
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Billie Jean King Cup final set as Switzerland oust Australia


Switzerland will appear in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup for the just the second time as they take on four-time champions Russia.

Switzerland took on 2019 runners-up Australia for the second place in tomorrow’s final.

The European nation had only once reached the final of the event before, when an 18-year-old Martina Hingis led them there before falling at the final hurdle as Spain claimed their fifth title.

First up, Cincinnati Open runner-up Jil Teichmann took on world number 131 Storm Sanders.

It did not start well for the Australian, as Teichmann stormed to the first set 6-0 in just 19 minutes. Sander won just three points across the set, and only one on her serve.

Teichmann continued strongly, claiming three more games in a row before Sanders finally got on the board for 3-1 in the second. It was too late though, as the Swiss clinched victory in barely an hour 6-0, 6-3. One win from the final.

Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic then faced world number 43 Ajla Tomljanovic in what turned out to be another one-sided affair.

Any early break put Bencic 3-0 up. Tomljanovic broke back soon after, but could not consolidate as the Swiss claimed another. Bencic then clinched the opener 6-3.

An early break in the second spelled the end for Tomljanovic, Bencic backing it up late on to claim the match 6-3, 6-2 and send her nation through to the final.

Earlier in the day, Russia had overcome the USA in a deciding doubles rubber. Ludmilla Samsonova and Veronika Kudermetova sealed the win against Coco Vandeweghe and Shelby Rogers, 6-3, 6-3.

Russia last won the Billie Jean King Cup in 2008, since finishing runner-up three times in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Meanwhile, Switzerland will be fighting for their maiden triumph at the prestige event.


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