Dominant Swiss triumph in Glasgow

SWITZERLAND proved there is life in tennis after Roger Federer as their women defeated Australia in Glasgow to win the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time.

Two months after Federer’s tearful farewell to professional tennis at the Laver Cup in London, Belinda Bencic and Jil Teichmann claimed singles victories at the Emirates Arena to break new ground for their country.

Switzerland had twice reached the final before, in Martina Hingis’ pomp in 1998 and last year, when they finished as runners-up to the now banned Russian Federation.

But they have been unstoppable in Glasgow, not losing a live rubber despite a difficult draw, and Australia were powerless to prevent yet another final defeat – they have lost ten in a row dating back to their last of seven titles back in 1974.

This was a rematch of last year’s semi-final, where Australia won only eight games, and they at least made it more competitive this time in front of a sizeable and enthusiastic crowd that included King, who came on to the court before the tie and high-fived all the players.

Storm Sanders lost to Teichmann 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, while Bencic beat Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2, 6-1.