Raphaël Collignon leads Belgium to Davis Cup Finals
Raphaël Collignon defeated Aleksandar Vukic on Sunday to give Belgium a 3-2 victory against Australia in the second round of the Davis Cup qualifiers, securing a place in November’s finals in Bologna, Italy.
Collignon faced Vukic in the fifth match of the Davis Cup qualifiers. Belgium secured an early 2-0 lead on Saturday after Zizou Bergs beat Jordan Thompson and Collignon stunned world number eight Alex de Minaur. But Australia equalised on Sunday morning by winning both doubles matches.
In the decisive fifth match, Raphaël Collignon faced Aleksandar Vukic. The Australian edged the first set 7-5, but Collignon responded with a dominant 6-2 in the second. The 23-year-old sealed the victory with a 6-3 final set, booking Belgium’s place in the Davis Cup Finals.
First finals since 2018
Team coach Steve Darcis praised his team after the match. "We were very motivated but came without expectations because we played against a good team with very good players," he said. "I am not surprised because I know what they are capable of. This victory is really amazing for us."
It is the first time since 2018 that Belgium managed to reached the Davis Cup Finals. That year, the team lost 4-0 to the United States in the quarter-finals in Nashville.
Eight countries will compete in Bologna from 18 to 23 November. Alongside Belgium and host Italy, Argentina, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and France are already seeded. Denmark and Spain are contesting the final slot.
© BELGA PHOTO PATRICK HAMILTON
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