Belgium Claims Historic United Cup Semifinal Spot
Elise Mertens and Zizou Bergs delivered clutch victories on Sydney’s hard courts, breaking through to propel Belgium into the United Cup semifinals for the first time amid rising tension against Czechia.
In the charged atmosphere of Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena on January 8, 2026, Belgium shattered its United Cup ceiling with two gritty singles wins over Czechia. Elise Mertens outlasted Barbora Krejcikova in a three-set battle of former doubles No. 1s, her serve anchoring a comeback that echoed the nation’s long wait for this stage. Zizou Bergs followed by edging Jakub Mensik in straight sets, his poise under late pressure clinching the tie and setting up a semifinal clash with Switzerland.
“I had to adjust my game in the second set,” Mertens said on court. “I needed to play a little more aggressively, and I’m happy I was able to do that. Being up 1-0, I could play freely because of Zizou, and we’re so happy to be in the semifinals.”
Mertens unlocks aggressive edge
The opening set dragged into a tactical stalemate, Krejcikova’s slice backhand disrupting rhythm until she broke in the 11th game for a 7-5 lead. Mertens, ranked No. 19 in the PIF WTA Rankings, reset her approach on the indoor hard courts, where the consistent bounce favored her heavy topspin. She broke twice in the second set with inside-in forehands that forced errors, racing to a 6-1 win and shifting the match’s tempo.
Early breaks traded in the decider like probing jabs, but Mertens struck decisively in the 11th game, her serve firing 12 aces against just three double faults. Krejcikova managed six aces but faltered with 10 double faults, converting only 20% of break points while Mertens hit 80%. The 5-7, 6-1, 7-5 victory lasted 2 hours and 33 minutes, a testament to mental recalibration on a surface that rewards low-risk power.
Bergs conquers late-match nerves
Bergs stormed the first set 6-2, blending crosscourt returns with net-rushing volleys to overwhelm Mensik’s booming serve. The 26-year-old entered with a 2-16 record against top-20 opponents, but his recent upset over Felix Auger-Aliassime fueled a streak now at two. On these hard courts, his all-court game exploited Mensik’s positioning, building a lead that tested his resolve as the tie hung in the balance.
As pressure mounted, Bergs missed two chances to serve out at 5-4 in the second, tightening into defensive play that let Mensik break via a net-cord winner and a down-the-line backhand. The set pushed to a tiebreak, where Bergs rediscovered his inside-out forehand aggression, winning 7-6(4) in 1 hour and 40 minutes. This win, born from recovering poise in big points, marked a personal milestone against elite competition.
INSANE athleticism 😤 pic.twitter.com/SnVklZf0Rx
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 8, 2026
“First of all, I didn’t even know I was 5-4 up and then I got broken and I was 5-5,” Bergs said. “And then I break back and you just want to finish, you’re so close, you’re playing big points. I got tight, I go backwards, I play defensive. It was a very big struggle in the end. I’m so happy for myself and the team.”
Hard courts fuel semifinal surge
Belgium’s breakthrough highlights how the United Cup’s indoor hard courts amplify tactical shifts, from Mertens’ one–two serve-forehand patterns to Bergs’ tiebreak recovery. The crowd’s energy swelled with each point, turning individual battles into national catharsis after years of near-misses in team events. Facing Switzerland on January 10, the duo carries momentum, with the United States awaiting the Australia-Poland quarterfinal winner.
Check the Scores for complete match breakdowns and the Standings to follow group progress. Mertens’ serve precision and Bergs’ mental grit position Belgium as a tactical threat, ready to exploit surface speed in uncharted semifinal territory. This run eases the tour’s grind, channeling pressure into a forward push toward deeper contention.
