Belgium returns to the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time since 2017 in the Davis Cup Final 8 inside the Super Tennis Arena at the Unipol Arena in Bologna.
Raphael Collignon came back from one set down to beat Corentin Moutet 2-6 7-5 7-5 in the first match earning Belgium a 1-0 lead over France in the quarter finals.
Collignon double faulted in the opening game to lose his serve. Moutet converted his third break point in the third game and held serve at 15 in the fourth game to race out to open up a 4-0 lead and served out the first set 6-2 at deuce after saving two break points.
Collignon broke serve in the second game of the second set to open up a 2-0 lead. Moutet broke straight back in the third game and consolidated the break with a hold at deuce in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2.
Collignon saved a break point with a big serve in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead. The Belgian player earned two set points, when Moutet made a double fault.
Collignon earned three break points at 2-1 in the third set. Moutet saved all three break points.
The Frenchman fended off another break point at 3-4 with a serve out wide.
Collignon earned a match point in the 12th game when Moutet pushed a backhand wide. The Belgian player converted it to close out the third set 7-5 when Moutet double faulted.
Collignon won both of his singles matches in last September’s Qualifier second round.
“It was a crazy match. When I saw his toss, because he put the ball like very on the left, and I was thinking maybe this one is in the net. When he did the double-fault on match point, I was so tight. I wanted to say him thank you very much”, said Collignon.
Zizou Bergs clinched the decisive 2-0 point with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) over Arthur Rinderkech in the second match.
Bergs broke in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead and served out the opening set 6-3 on his second set point.
Bergs earned the crucial break in the fifth game of the second set by chasing down Rinderknech’s drop shot and hit a lob.
Rinderknech broke Bergs in the 10th game to draw level to 5-5, as the Belgian player was serving for the win. Moutet brought two set points in the 12th game, but Bergs saved them to force the second set to the tie-break.
Bergs sealed the win on his second match point with a forehand winner.
The Belgian team earned their spot in the Final 8 with a 3-2 win over Australia during last September’s Qualifiers Second Round.
Belgium will face either defending champion Italy or Belgium.
