Davis Cup 1st round
Bergs, Belgium beat Croatia in Davis Cup qualifying
France and Czech Republic also advance to final group stage
February 4, 2024
Paul Zimmer/ITF
Belgium’s Zizou Bergs takes on Serbia’s Duje Aidukovic in Sunday’s Davis Cup qualifier.
From ITF staff
A inspired Zizou Bergs defeated Croatia’s Duje Aidukovic to earn the crucial point that sealed Belgium’s place in the 2024 Davis Cup finals group stage in September.
Bergs has had a very productive week in Varazdin, winning his second singles match following his opening day victory over former world No. 3 Marin Cilic.
In many ways, this victory set the tone for Belgium’s performance. Yesterday, the Belgian’s performance suffered a setback as Aidukovic dispatched Joris de Laure in the second singles, but his victory was not to be ruled out.
Bergs, who had lost five of his seven Davis Cup matches up until this week, delivered a shot to advance to the finals, defeating Aidukovic 6-1, 7-5 and sending Belgium to its third final. lead.
The foundations for Belgium’s victory were laid earlier in the day by Sander Gil and Joran Vliegen’s impressive doubles victory over Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic. Gilles and Vliegen recovered from a set down to win 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). The Belgian duo defeated two players who hold six Grand Slam doubles titles, paving the way for Bergs to lead his country to the finish line.
Dodig, who took to the court, tied the record for the most Davis Cup appearances by a Croatian player and is tied for second place on the all-time list with Ivan Ljubicic. But it’s unlikely to be a match that he remembers fondly, with Gilles and Fliegen winning.
Mau/Roger Vasselin books tickets for the French final
Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin secured the vital three points to help France progress to the final group stage in September. In front of a packed crowd at the Taipei Tennis Center in Taipei City, they defeated Yu-Hsu Hsu and Jason Jeong 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (1).
“We played a very good team,” Roger Vasselin said. “They got off to a better start than us. We managed to stay calm and positive. It was a battle at the end. We are really happy with the win.”
“They played really well compared to their ranking and had great support from the crowd,” added Maut. “Our positive attitude helped us win the game.”
The French pair built on the opening day victories of 19-year-old Luca van Assche, who beat Suh 6-4 6-4 on his Davis Cup debut, and experienced Adrian Mannarino, who won 6-3 7. Built. -5 victory over Wu Tonglin.
After the match, Van Aersche said, “I’m very happy with today’s win.” “It was a great feeling to play against the French team for the first time. I’m very happy to get our first point against France.”
France, who have won the Davis Cup 10 times, have finished third in the final group stage in the past two years, missing out on a place in the quarter-finals. Sunday’s win gives them another chance to advance to the Final Eight in November.
Czech national team advances to final in Trinec
The Czech Republic defeated Israel 3-0 in the 2024 Davis Cup qualifiers, qualifying for the group stage finals in September for the second year in a row.
Jiri Rehekka and Jakub Mencik did most of the work in singles on Saturday, but on Sunday the Israeli doubles pair of Daniel Cukierman and Edan Leshem took a 1-4 lead over Tomas Machak and Adam Pavlasek Unfortunately, the match ended in a draw, forcing him to retire. .
Even without Cukierman’s injury, Israel faces a big uphill battle on Sunday, knowing they must win all three games to advance, and from the start against Masyak and Pavlasek. He was at a disadvantage.
“We played really well from the beginning,” Machak said. “Both of us played really well at the Australian Open and we wanted to continue that here, and we were able to do that. I wish Dani a speedy recovery. It’s not good for it to end like this. Now. I don’t feel any emotions.”
The Czech Republic has an impressive record in both the men’s and women’s team competitions, with their name engraved on the Davis Cup trophy three times, most recently winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
The team, captained by the experienced Jaroslav Navraltyr, will head into September’s group stage with confidence after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since 2016 in Malaga last year.