United Cup
\n Bergs battles past Mensik to give Belgium lead in United Cup QFs<\/p>\n
Mertens can seal tie against Krejcikova<\/p>\n
January 08, 2026<\/p>\n
Brett Hemmings\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Zizou Bergs defeats Jakub Mensik Thursday evening in Sydney for his second victory of the 2026 United Cup.
\n By ATP\/WTA Staff<\/p>\n
Zizou Bergs\u2019 dream start to the season is only getting better.<\/p>\n
After earning the biggest win of his career against Felix Auger-Aliassime in group play, the Belgian beat Jakub Mensik 6-2, 7-6(4) on Thursday evening to give his country a 1-0 lead against Czechia in the United Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Bergs entered the event with a 2-16 mark against Top-20 opponents, but has now won two in a row after defeating Mensik in one hour and 40 minutes. The 26-year-old was unable to serve out the match with two opportunities to do so, but was ultimately able to cross the finish line.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, I didn\u2019t even know I was 5-4 up and then I got broken and I was 5-5,\u201d Bergs said. \u201cAnd then I break back and you just want to finish, you\u2019re so close, you\u2019re playing big points. I got tight, I go backwards, I play defensive. so it was a very big struggle in the end. I\u2019m so happy for myself and the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Towards the end of the match, Bergs began playing more conservatively as the pressure to claim victory mounted. Suddenly balls he had been striking with authority, he was pulling off of, allowing the Czech to impose his own will.<\/p>\n
Mensik benefitted from a ball that hit the net and barely bounced over to earn his first service break of the match and remain alive. He then claimed another break at 5-6 with a big backhand up the line. Elise Mertens will now try to seal Belgium\u2019s place in the United Cup semi-finals when she faces Barbora Krejcikova.<\/p>\n
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