The World Tennis Continental Cup 2025, held at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre in China, culminated in an electrifying Day 3 showdown that saw Team World clinch the title over Team Europe. Inspired by the format of the Laver Cup, this exhibition event brought together top talents for a mix of singles and doubles matches, building excitement ahead of the new season. The decisive moment came in the mixed doubles match between Elena Rybakina and Andrey Rublev (Team World) versus Iga Swiatek and Valentin Vacherot (Team Europe), where Team World emerged victorious with a straight-sets win of 6-4, 6-4.
This match, captured in a compelling YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0o4LRuCpFo), showcased high-level tennis with powerful serves, sharp volleys, and strategic teamwork. As the decider for the overall team title, the pressure was palpable, but Rybakina and Rublev displayed composure and control throughout, securing a final team score of 12-7 in favor of Team World.
Event Overview and Day 3 Highlights
The Continental Cup featured a best-of format across three days, with points accumulating for each win. Entering Day 3, the teams were locked in a tight battle, setting the stage for crucial encounters. The day kicked off with Valentin Vacherot (Team Europe) facing Zhang Zhizhen (Team World) in men’s singles. Vacherot delivered a solid performance, winning 6-3, 7-6(3) in a tiebreak, giving Europe an early boost.
Next up was the women’s singles clash between Elena Rybakina (Team World) and Belinda Bencic (Team Europe). Rybakina dominated with her serve, firing 11 aces en route to a 6-3, 6-4 victory. Her precision and power were key, as she controlled rallies and minimized errors against a resilient Bencic.
With the team scores hanging in the balance, all eyes turned to the mixed doubles. Swiatek, the world No. 1 and a force in singles, paired with the steady Vacherot, while Rybakina teamed up with the aggressive Rublev. The match was a blend of baseline firepower and net play, highlighting the unique dynamics of mixed doubles.
Key Moments from the Mixed Doubles Decider
The first set saw both teams trading holds early on, with Rybakina’s serve proving particularly effective. A crucial break came in the seventh game when Rublev’s forehand winner set up a breakpoint, which Team World converted to lead 4-3. They consolidated the break and closed out the set 6-4, thanks to Rublev’s clutch volleys and Rybakina’s consistent returns.
In the second set, Swiatek and Vacherot fought back, creating opportunities with Swiatek’s trademark topspin forehands. However, Team World maintained their edge, breaking serve midway through the set. Rublev’s powerful groundstrokes and Rybakina’s poise under pressure were instrumental in fending off a late comeback attempt. The set ended 6-4, sealing the win and the tournament title for Team World.
Fans on social media praised the match’s intensity, with one user noting the fun of seeing Swiatek and Rybakina handle the pace from their male partners. Another highlighted Rybakina’s double victory on the day, underscoring her form heading into 2026.
Player Performances and Context
Elena Rybakina shone brightly, adding this mixed doubles win to her singles triumph over Bencic. Her 11 aces in the singles match demonstrated her serving prowess, which carried over into doubles. Andrey Rublev complemented her perfectly, bringing energy and big hitting to the court.
For Team Europe, Iga Swiatek had a mixed event. Earlier in the tournament, she notched a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win over Rybakina in singles but fell in another singles match to Wang Xinyu 2-6, 3-6. Paired with Vacherot, who had his own singles success, they showed chemistry but couldn’t overcome Team World’s synergy.
Valentin Vacherot, a rising star from Monaco, impressed with his singles win and contributed solidly in doubles, though the pair ultimately came up short.
Looking Ahead
This exhibition not only provided entertaining tennis but also served as a tune-up for the upcoming season. Swiatek heads to the United Cup starting January 5, while Rybakina and Rublev will carry momentum into their respective campaigns. The World Tennis Continental Cup’s success in Shenzhen suggests it could become a staple in the tennis calendar, blending competition with fun.
For fans eager to relive the action, the full match video offers a front-row seat to this memorable encounter. Team World’s victory caps off a fantastic event, leaving tennis enthusiasts excited for what’s next in 2026.
