World Tennis Continental Cup Round-up | Team World conjure up the goods to convincingly defeat Team Europe in dramatic final day of action

Team World have managed to fend off Team Europe and taste glory after a dominant day three in the World Tennis Continental Cup.

It had been very even so far between the two teams. Team Europe exploded out of the blocks and went 2-0 up on the opening day, However, their lead would not stay in the Ryder Cup style exhibition. Team World took a narrow lead thanks to a surprise Chinese double which left Iga Swiatek and Flavio Cobolli on the end of upsets, and Team World taking a 6-4 advantage.

The pressure was on both teams going into the third and final day if action in Shenzhen. Up first was the Monegasque Valentin Vacherot, back in the country where he put his name on the tennis map. His victory in the Shanghai masters saw him leap from outside of the top 200 into the top 40 in one of the most incredible stories of the year. He squandered two match points in his singles tie against Andrey Rublev the day before, and was not going to let Zhizhen Zhang get the better of him.

He started on the front foot, getting the important break needed to wrap up the first set. It was a much tighter second set as both players looked to get that step in front. Neither could, and a tiebreak was on the cards. Vacherot showed his quality and managed to finish off Zhang 6-3, 7-6 (3) to keep Europe firmly in the hunt.

Following from this was a chance for Bencic to continue Europe's positive momentum. It would not be easy, with WTA Finals champion Rybakina the player she would have to defeat. Their matchup earlier this year saw the Swiss athlete defeat Rybakina in the semi-finals of the Abu Dhabi Open, as she went on to take the title. Despite that positive result, she was unable to repeat the performance against a much-improved Rybakina. The Kazakh produced the goods to win 6-3, 6-4 while racking up 11 aces, showing off her incredible serving skills. This put Team World 9-7 in front ahead of a crucial mixed doubles tie.

Vacherot and Rybakina would return to the court for their teams. Vacherot partnered six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek while Rybakina and Rublev joined forces. The fans were on the edge of their seat for the finale to this event, filling out the stands despite it being an exhibition event.

Team Europe needed to win to keep the hunt on, but they were unable to get the victory needed. Rublev and Rybakina came out on top 6-4, 6-4, moving them 12-7 in front. With the final singles match not having any effect on the final result, Team World were crowned as champions in the inaugural World Tennis Continental Cup.

They were still going to put on the singles match between Rublev and Cobolli, but it would just be for show. The Russian proved to be the better on the day, overcoming the Italian 6-3, 6-4. It would extend their lead even further, cementing what was already a terrific three days for Team World.

All the players competing in the event would have relished the chance to get back onto the court ahead of the beginning of the 2026 campaign in just a few days. The new year will bring a whole host of tournaments and drama, beginning Down Under with the action leading up to the Australian Open, the first major event of the year.