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By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, November 18, 2025Photo credit score: SI Robi/Wikimedia Commons
Raphael Collignon staged a fascinating comeback and Zizou Bergs performed dedicated nearer lifting Belgium again into the Davis Cup semifinals.
World No. 43 Bergs saved two set factors within the second set keeping off Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 7-6(4) clinching Belgium’s 2-0 victory over France in at present’s Davis Cup quarterfinal conflict in Bologna.
It’s Belgium’s first Davis Cup semifinal since 2017
“It’s just some factors [difference], however I’m very pleased with what I did and what Raphael did within the match earlier than me,” Bergs stated. “It’s simply one thing you possibly can’t describe, the sensations earlier than the competitors, it’s simply totally different.
“I’ve the group and the followers giving me the help all of us collectively and it’s figuring out for me… If I don’t win it okay we’re simply gonna get one other probability [in doubles]. I’m actually pleased with us.”
Exuding satisfaction and precision Collignon performed Davis Cup hero once more rallying from a set all the way down to defeat Corentin Moutet 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 in an exciting opening match. Bergs adopted with the victory over Rinderknech giving Belgium an insurmountable 2-0 lead within the best-of-three-match quarterfinal.
Collignon, who swept each singles matches in Belgium’s qualifying win over Australia in September, once more confirmed great poise beneath stress at present.
The left-handed Moutet, who seldom met a trick shot alternative he didn’t take, will rue his nutty shot choice serving at 5-6 to drive a second-set tiebreaker. Moutet, who had an unlimited expanse of open courtroom, wanted to simply put the ball over the web at 15-all to win the purpose. As an alternative, Moutet badly bungled a tweener try, fell right into a 15-30 gap. A relaxed Collignon took that lifeline and broke at 30 to drive the ultimate set.
“I feel I used to be perhaps a bit fortunate that he selected to do that tweener at 6-5 as a result of it was powerful for me,” Collignon stated. “I used to be not enjoying so good. He was dominating the match.”
Within the decider, Collignon gained 24 of 25 service factors, stamping 5 love holds, together with a shutout maintain for 6-5 to shift stress again onto the left-hander’s shoulders.
Serving down match level, Moutet tightened up once more and double-faulted into web as Belgium took a 1-0 lead.
“Once I noticed his toss, as a result of he put the ball like very on the left, and I used to be pondering perhaps this one is within the web,” Collignon stated. “When he did the double-fault on match level, I used to be so tight. I needed to say him thanks very a lot.”
Now, Belgium strikes into Friday’s semifinals the place it is going to face both two-time defending champion Italy or Austria for a spot in Sunday’s remaining.
Bergs served for the match at 5-4, however despatched a forehand lengthy as Rinderknech broke again to degree.
Serving at 5-6, Bergs saved the primary set level when the Frenchman netted a return then denied one other set level when Rinderknech netted a rally forehand.
A slick Bergs backhand move gave him the mini break and a 3-2 tiebreaker lead. Bergs spun a forehand strategy down the road extending to 5-2. Rinderknech, who tightened up a bit on the forehand, netted a forehand to present the Belgian match factors.
On his second match level, Bergs danced across the backhand and fired a forehand winner down the road to finish it.
Davis Cup Remaining 8 Schedule
QUARTERFINAL 1 – France v Belgium
Tuesday November 18th – 16.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 2 – Italy v Austria
Wednesday, November nineteenth – 16.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 3 -Spain v Czechia
Thursday, November twentieth – 10.00 (CET)
QUARTERFINAL 4 – Argentina v Germany
Thursday, November twentieth – 17.00 (CET)
SEMIFINAL 1 (QF1 v QF2)
Friday, November twenty first – 16.00 (CET)
SEMIFINAL 2 (QF3 v QF4)
Saturday, November twenty second – 12.00 (CET)
FINAL
Sunday, November twenty third – 15.00 (CET)
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