BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, October 12, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
As the draw ceremony for the 10th edition of the newly-named BNP Paribas Fortis European Open unfolded inside Brussels Expo on Saturday, one of the major highlights came when two of the three featured Belgian players – Zizou Bergs and Raphael Collignon – were drawn to face each other in the first round.
It’s a matchup that is sure to capture the imagination of Belgium tennis fans, one that tournament director Dick Norman described as “an exciting match” for this fascinating 28-player ATP 250 indoor hard-court event that organizers are promising to be a “spectacular event filled with intensity, emotion and fighting spirit.”
Are you ready for this? #BNPFFEuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/lc9G3y5z0W
— BNP Paribas Fortis European Open (@BNPPFEUOpen) October 11, 2025
Qualifying begins Sunday and main-draw play commences on Monday for the week-long event that moved to the Belgian capital city after a nine-year run in Antwerp. The Bergs-Collignon matchup will take place on Tuesday evening as part of the Belgian Day festivities.
“It will definitely be a special match,” Collignon said during the draw ceremony, which he attended along with longtime Belgian star David Goffin, whom he will team with in doubles. “But above all, it’s a great day for Belgian tennis.”
Goffin, who spent a part of Saturday afternoon hitting with fans, will also be included on the Belgian Day evening session against Argentine Francisco Comesana. A possible second-round all-Belgian matchup could result depending upon the outcome.
THE MAIN DRAW IS OUT ‼️
Who will lift the trophy this year? #BNPPFEuropeanOpen #ATPTour #Tennis pic.twitter.com/XfJL8BNuRs
— BNP Paribas Fortis European Open (@BNPPFEUOpen) October 11, 2025
This year’s singles draw highlights the international prestige of the event. The top four seeds, who all received byes into the second round, include: No. 1 seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy, ranked ninth; No. 2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada, ranked 13th; No. 3 seed Jiri Lehecka of Czechia, ranked 19th; and No. 4 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, ranked 20th.
Musetti will open against either fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi, ranked 71st, or a qualifier, while Auger-Aliassime will await the winner between No. 67 Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina and No. 218th-ranked wild card Federico Cina of Italy.
The remaining seeds include: No. 5 seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France, ranked 37th; No. 6 seed Sebastian Baez of Argentina, ranked 42nd; No. 7 seed Joao Fonseca of Brazil, ranked 43rd; and No. 8 seed Bergs, ranked 44th.
Wild cards were awarded to the 83rd-ranked Goffin and No. 90 Collignon as well as Cina.
Meanwhile, defending champion Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain, ranked 56th, faces a tough title defense as he will face Baez in the opening round.
In the 16-team doubles draw, the top-seeded teams: No. 1 seeds Hugo Nys of Monaco and Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France and No. 2 seeds Christian Harrison and Evan King of the United States.
Sunday’s European Open order of play
ORDER OF PLAY SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER#BNPPFEuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/9F2cvcqkQz
— BNP Paribas Fortis European Open (@BNPPFEUOpen) October 11, 2025
“This year, we have an exceptionally strong field, with no fewer than four players from the ATP Top 20,” Norman said. “And, of course, everyone will be watching Belgian Day, featuring the fantastic matchup between Bergs and Collignon, followed by Goffin’s match right after. It’s been a long time since we’ve had three Belgians in the Top 100. So, this promises to be a true celebration of Belgian tennis.”
Collignon has compiled a 35-19 win-loss record across all competitions this season – including a pair of ATP Challenger Tour titles won in Pau, France and Monza, Italy, plus a couple of Davis Cup wins against Australia. He said his matchup against Zizou “is obviously one that captures the imagination, even if I might have preferred to draw someone else.
“I hope we’ll face each other many more times in the future. It would mean we’re both performing at a high level. Belgian Day will definitely be a great moment for Belgian tennis. Personally, I hope to build on my recent form and play my best tennis. I’m really looking forward to it.”
