SYDNEY/WASHINGTON, January 8, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
There was great joy on the faces of Team Belgium. The Western Europe nation known for its medieval towns and Renaissance architecture suddenly has become a tennis powerhouse to be reckoned with at this year’s United Cup mixed-team competition.
On Thursday evening, Belgium upset Czechia 2-1 by winning both singles rubbers. It wasn’t an easy task for Belgians Zizou Bergs and Elise Mertens. However, it was one which each embraced – and best of all, each rose to the occasion on Ken Rosewall Arena.
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First, the 42nd-ranked Bergs upset World No. 18 Jakub Mensik, 6-2, 7-6 (4), in an hour and 40 minutes to give the Belgians a 1-0 advantage. He converted four of seven break points and outpointed his opponent 75-63. It was the fourth-career Top 20 victory for Bergs – and his second one this week, after knocking off World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in his previous match. He entered the United Cup 2-16 against against Top-20 opponents.
Bergs does it again for Belgium!
He beats Mensik 6-2 7-6 to move his country one match from the semi-finals in Sydney#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/M2qY3cNtCM
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 8, 2026
Then, World No. 19 Mertens put Belgium over the top when she rallied past two-time major champion Barbora Krejcikova, 5-7, 6-1, 7-5, in two hours and 33 minutes behind 12 aces and four breaks of her opponent’s serve. She broke the 63rd-ranked Czech star’s serve to go ahead 6-5 in the final set, then served out the victory. Mertens outpointed Krejcikova 96-84.
“I fought till the end,” Mertens said. “Yeah, we played a great team, but very happy with the win.”
Mertens takes an epic three-set encounter over Krejcikova
Belgium advance to the semi-finals!#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/s48E9tEw3k
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 8, 2026
Shortly after Mertens clinched the tie victory for the Belgians, Bergs declared: “Belgium is becoming a big country slowly. We’re small, but starting to perform big.
“Yeah, I think unreal performance from the team today. So excited to go ahead against Switzerland.”
Czechia’s Linda Fruhvirtova and Dalibor Svrcina won the dead rubber mixed doubles over Greet Minnen and Sander Gille of Belgium, 6-7 (13), 6-3, 10-3, in an hour and 55 minutes, ending after midnight.
Belgium, which needed a 3-0 shutout victory over Canada on Tuesday just to advance out of the group stage, proved it was ready for the big stage of the quarterfinal knock-out round against Czechia. Next, Belgium will face Switzerland in Saturday afternoon’s semifinals in Sydney. The Swiss have been another surprise nation to emerge this week behind the good fortunes of Belinda Bencic, Stan Wawrinka and Jakub Paul. Bencic has gone 3-0 in singles and teamed with Paul to win each of their three mixed doubles matches.
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“I think, again, great chances going into the semifinals,” Berg said. “Every day we come up with a great day, like Stunty Tuesday, Thirsty Thursday. So the name for Saturday is going to be Sassy Saturday. That sounds very good.
“Hopefully that brings up the good vibes again.”
Throughout the fourth edition of the United Cup, Bergs has been visible as one of his team’s biggest cheerleaders.
“I feel like these formats, Davis Cup and this, just brings out a little bit the best of me,” he said. “It’s something you do with a team, where everybody is cheering for you. This responsibility role also feels quite natural. I’m really enjoying it.
“I’m really a patriot, I try to bring that on court as well. Have the feeling that not only the bench is living with us, but also the people at home brings that extra. Until now we’ve always been using it very well.”
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Around the United Cup
Australia will play Poland in the final quarterfinal tie Friday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney. The winner will face the United States in the semifinals on Saturday evening.
By the numbers
A former World No. 1 in doubles who finished the 2025 season ranked No. 5, Elise Mertens also finished 2025 ranked inside the Top 20 in singles for the fourth time following 2018-20.
“Quotable …”
“It’s great you have the team around. Once a year we can play in a team format. Tennis, it’s a very individual sport. It’s very nice to have the coach next to you, to get the team behind you. We know each other for so many years already. That kind of makes the bond even more special.”
– Elise Mertens of Belgium, during her team’s post-tie news conference Thursday evening, talking of her team’s camaraderie throughout the United Cup.
