Collignon, Burgess lead Belgium to Davis Cup semi-finals with victory over France – Tennis Now

By Richard Pagliaro Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Photo credit: SI Robi/Wikimedia Commons

Raphael Collignon staged a mesmerizing comeback, Zidane Burgers The game ultimately helped Belgium return to the Davis Cup semifinals.

Burgess, ranked 43rd in the world, struggled to save two set points in the second set Arthur Lindeknech Belgium beat France 6-3, 7-6(4) 2-0 in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Bologna today.

This is the first time Belgium has reached the Davis Cup semi-finals since 2017

“It’s just a few o’clock [difference]but I’m very proud of what Rafael and I did in the fight before me,” Burgess said. “It’s just something you can’t describe, the feeling before the game, it’s just different.

“I have the team and the fans giving me the support of all of us and it works for me… If I don’t win the game, then okay, we’ll get another chance [in doubles]. I’m really proud of us. “

Collignon exudes pride and precision as he once again plays Davis Cup hero, recovering from a set loss colentinmutai 2-6, 7-5, 7-5, the opening match was thrilling. Burges then defeated Lindeknecht to give Belgium an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the best-of-three quarter-finals.

Collignon swept both singles matches in Belgium’s qualifying win over Australia in September and again showed tremendous composure under pressure today.

The southpaw Moute rarely encountered a trick-shot opportunity that he didn’t seize, and he would regret his wild shot selection at 5-6 on serve to force a second-set decider. Mutai had wide open space and only had to put the ball over the net at 15 to win a point. Instead, Mutai made a serious mistake in the middle attempt and fell into a 15-30 hole. A calm Collignon grabbed this lifeline and broke serve in the 30th set to force a decider.

“I think I was probably a little lucky that he chose to hit this middle ball at 6-5 because it was difficult for me,” Collignon said. “I didn’t play very well. He dominated the game.”

In the deciding set, Collignon won 24 of 25 service points and completed 5 love holds, including a stunning hold that shifted the pressure back to the left-hander’s shoulders at 6-5.

In the service game, Mutai once again exerted his strength and hit the net with double errors, giving Belgium a 1-0 lead.

“When I saw his throw, because he put it to the left, I thought maybe it went in the net,” Collignon said. “I was very nervous when he double-faulted on match point. I wanted to say thank you to him.”

Belgium now enters Friday’s semifinals and will face two-time defending champions Italy or Austria for a spot in Sunday’s final.

Bergers tied the score at 5-4, but Lindeknech sent a forehand break to equalize the score.

Serving for a 5-6 lead, Burgess saved the first set point after the Frenchman returned the ball, and then Lindeknech denied another set point when he broke the net with a forehand and backhand.

Bergers’ clever backhand pass gave him a small break and a 3-2 lead in the decider. Burgers’ forehand spin extended the score to 5-2. Lindeknech’s forehand strengthened slightly and hit the net to give the Belgian team match point.

On his second match point, Bergers danced backhand and capped the match with a forehand winner.

Davis Cup quarter-finals schedule

Quarterfinal 1 – France v Belgium

Tuesday 18 November – 16:00 (CET)

Quarterfinal 2 – Italy v Austria

Wednesday 19 November – 16:00 (CET)

Quarterfinal 3 – Spain v Czech Republic

Thursday, November 20 – 10:00 (CET)

Quarterfinal 4 – Argentina v Germany

Thursday 20 November – 17:00 (CET)

Semi-final 1 (QF1 vs QF2)

Friday 21 November – 16:00 (CET)

Semi-final 2 (QF3 vs QF4)

Saturday 22nd November – 12:00 (CET)

final

Sunday 23rd November – 15:00 (CET)