A thrilling tennis showdown unfolded on Tuesday in Bologna, Italy, as Belgium secured their place in the Davis Cup Finals semi-finals with a dominant 2-0 victory over France. This victory sets the stage for an exciting clash against either Italy or Austria in the next round.
The Belgian Triumph
The Belgian team, led by the formidable duo of Raphael Collignon and Zizou Bergs, showcased their prowess on the court. Collignon, ranked No. 86 in the PIF ATP Rankings, kicked things off with a nail-biting match against Corentin Moutet. Despite dropping the first set 2-6, Collignon fought back valiantly, winning the next two sets 7-5, 7-5 to give Belgium an early lead.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Bergs, fresh from his Shanghai finalist run, faced Arthur Rinderknech, the Shanghai finalist himself. In a thrilling encounter, Bergs prevailed 6-3, 7-6(4), sealing Belgium’s unassailable 2-0 advantage. The match saw Bergs recover from a close call, where he failed to serve out the match at 5-3, ultimately triumphing in the second-set tie-break after an intense hour and 34 minutes.
And this is the part most people miss… Belgium’s journey to the semi-finals wasn’t an easy one. They earned their spot at the Final 8 with a remarkable 3-2 victory in Australia during the second-round qualifiers in September.
Now, Belgium gears up for a semi-final battle against either Italy, the two-time defending champions, or Austria. This match promises to be a tense affair, as Belgium aims to reach the Davis Cup title match for the third time, having previously achieved this feat in 2015 and 2017. The championship match for this year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, leaving tennis enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
So, who do you think will emerge victorious in this thrilling Davis Cup journey? Will Belgium continue their dominant run, or will Italy or Austria prove to be the ultimate challengers? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!