Zizou Bergs, named in homage to the French football icon, emerged as Belgium’s Davis Cup hero on the opening day in Bologna.
Belgium triumphed over France in their Davis Cup Finals opener, as organizers announced discussions regarding the tournament’s future format, amidst the absence of several prominent players from this year’s edition.
Raphael Collignon, ranked 86th, rallied to defeat France’s world number 35, Corentin Moutet, with a score of 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.
This victory paved the way for Zizou Bergs, named after Zinedine Zidane, to secure a semi-final berth against either Italy or Austria, clinching a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over Arthur Rinderknech.
Earlier on Tuesday, world number one Carlos Alcaraz announced his withdrawal from the Spanish team due to an injury sustained at the ATP Finals.
Alexander Zverev of Germany stands as the sole top-10 men’s singles player participating in this year’s Davis Cup Finals.
While injuries have sidelined some players, others, including Italy’s Jannik Sinner, ranked second globally, have opted to prioritize recovery during the sport’s off-season.
Both Alcaraz and Sinner have voiced their support for transitioning the Davis Cup into a biennial event.
International Tennis Federation (ITF) chief executive Ross Hutchins told BBC Sport of his intention to consult with leading players regarding potential changes to encourage greater participation in the season’s final major tournament.
“The Davis Cup boasts a rich history as a highly regarded team competition, consistently held annually for the past 125 years,” Hutchins stated.
“We have a three-year agreement in place for Bologna, which we are enthusiastic about. Malaga has proven successful in recent years as a season-ending event, showcasing top players and compelling narratives. The question now is, what is the best path forward?”
“Given my strong relationships with top players and governing bodies, I intend to engage in discussions to understand their perspectives.”
“We acknowledge the existing discussions and concerns, and I will address them accordingly to determine the best course of action.”
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Belgium, a three-time Davis Cup runner-up, received a significant boost from Raphael Collignon’s victory against France.
On the court, Moutet initially dominated against Collignon, seizing a 4-0 lead with two service breaks.
However, the 26-year-old Frenchman faltered, losing his serve and the second set after attempting an unnecessary trick shot at the net, a decision he would come to regret.
This error proved costly as Collignon capitalized, ultimately breaking Moutet’s resistance in the 12th game, despite initially failing to convert his first four break points.
Belgium appeared poised for a straightforward victory as Bergs, 26, established control, leading Rinderknech by a set and a break until the Frenchman broke back while Bergs served for the match at 5-4.
Rinderknech, 30, found renewed energy, but Bergs regained composure, forcing a tie-break and securing his second match point before celebrating with his team.
In the other half of the draw, Spain will face the Czech Republic, while Argentina will compete against Germany.
Great Britain is absent this week, having lost 3-2 to Japan in the qualifying round in February.
However, Leon Smith’s team improved their chances of reaching next year’s finals by defeating Poland in an away eliminator in September.
Doubles specialists Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, recently crowned year-end world number ones, emphasize the importance of Britain demonstrating its ability to compete with the elite in 2026.
“We are a strong tennis nation, and with a Grand Slam tournament plus the LTA in a financially better position than many other federations, we sometimes face criticism”, Cash told BBC Sport.
“Given the standard throughout – both singles and doubles – the Finals is where we deserve to be. That being said, we have to earn that spot every year.”
Great Britain last won the Davis Cup in 2015, led by Andy Murray, and reached the semi-finals in 2019 before quarter-final appearances in 2021 and 2023.
This year’s campaign was impacted by an injury to British number one Jack Draper, who later reached a career-high ranking, ruling him out of the Japan tie.
“Injuries play a significant role,” Cash noted, “so the hope is for everyone to stay healthy and for those called upon to deliver their best performances.”
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