By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Photo: SI Robi/Wikimedia Commons
Raphael Collignon staged a fascinating comeback and Zizou Bergs played an engaged closer leading Belgium to the semi-finals of the Davis Cup.
World No. 43 Bergs saved two set points in the second set by escaping Arthur Rinderknecht 6-3, 7-6(4) sealing Belgium’s 2-0 victory over France in today’s Davis Cup quarter-final match in Bologna.
“It’s only a few points (difference), but I’m very proud of what I did and what Raphael did in the game before me,” Bergs said. “It’s something you can’t describe, the feeling before the competition, it’s just different.
“I have the team and the fans supporting me all together and it’s working out for me… If I don’t win it right, we’ll just get another chance (in doubles). I’m very proud of us.”
The pride and precision that exudes Collignon played Davis Cup hero again rallying from a set down to lose Corentin Moutet 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 in a thrilling opening match. Bergs followed that up with victory over Rinderknech to give Belgium an unassailable 2-0 lead in the best-of-three quarter-final.
Collignon, who won both singles matches in Belgium’s qualifying win over Australia in September, again showed remarkable poise under pressure today.
The left-hander Moutet, who rarely met a trick shot opportunity that he didn’t take, will be disappointed by his sharp forehand serving at 5-6 to force a tie in the second set. Moutet, who had plenty of open court, had to put the ball over the net at the 15th to earn the point. Instead, Moutet mishit a pincer attempt, falling into a 15-30 hole. A calm Collignon took that lifeline and broke to 30 to force the final set.
“I think I was maybe a little lucky that he chose to do this tweezers at 6-5 because it was hard for me,” Collignon said. “I wasn’t playing that well. He was dominating the game.”
In the decider, Collignon won 24 of 25 service points, sealing five love holds, including a closing hold for 6-5 to shift the pressure back onto the lefty’s shoulders.
Serving match point, Moutet pressed back and hit two errors at the net as Belgium took a 1-0 lead.
“When I saw his shot, because he put the ball too far to the left, and I thought maybe that was in the net,” Collignon said. “When he double-faulted on match point, I was really tight. I wanted to say thank you to him.”
Belgium now advance to Friday’s semifinals, where they will face two-time defending champions Italy or Austria for a place in Sunday’s final.
Bergs served for the match at 5-4 but sent a break back for a time when Rinderknech got back level.
Serving at 5-6, Bergs saved the first set point when the Frenchman hit a return, then denied another set point when Rinderknech hit a forehand.
A great pass from Bergs gave him the small break and a 3-2 lead in the tie. Bergs made a hand approach to the finish line stretching to 5-2. Rinderknech, who was slightly strained on the front wing, netted to give the Belgian the match points.
On his second point of the match, Bergs danced around the backcourt and fired a forehand winner to end it.
