ATP Journey
Belgium shocks Australian stars in Davis Cup
Belgium enters the final eight games of the Davis Cup for the first time since 2018
September 14, 2025
David Gray/AFP via Getty Images
Raphael Collignon was embraced by Zizou Bergs after winning Belgium in Sydney on Sunday.
By ATP staff
Raphael Collignon ended a dream weekend for himself and Belgium in the Davis Cup qualifiers on Sunday in Sydney.
Fighting cramps in three set frustrations of world No. 8 Alex de Minaur on Saturday, Collignon surpassed Vukic by 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3, to win a 3-2 victory in Belgium at the Ken Rosewall Arena. No. 91 in the PIF ATP rankings broke Vukic’s serve twice in the second and third sets to complete the unforgettable European nation win.
All-round Raphael 👑
Collignon completed a comeback to Vukic 6-7 (5) 6-2 6-3, which sealed Belgium’s position in Bologna’s last 8! 🇧🇪@daviscup | #daviscup pic.twitter.com/6nxybveuqf
– ATP Tour (@atptour) September 14, 2025
Despite the move that entered Sunday trailing 0-2, Australia made an unforgettable comeback at a 2-2 painting level at a 2-2 painting level. Rinky Hijikata and Jordan Thompson, who lowered Zizou Bergs 6-2, 7-5, played against Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen, 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-4 in doubles rubber. However, the 23-year-old Kooninon has other ideas.
“Yesterday’s body was very harsh,” the Davis Cup website reported. “I tried to recover as much as I could. It was a long day, but I tried to recover, and I was ready for this game as much as I could, and I was glad to play the way I played.
“Body, I feel fine. The adrenaline and the energy on the bench are crazy, I don’t have legs at all. It’s a crazy atmosphere and crazy game.”
Belgium was the finalist of the Davis Cup in 2015 and 2017, entering the final eight games of the Davis Cup for the first time since 2018. The 2025 Davis Cup Final No. 8 will be held in Bologna from November 18 to 23. To date, along with Belgium, other qualified countries are Italy, Argentina, Austria, Jeppie, France and Germany.
