The third day of the European Open was all about our Belgians. Limburg doubles duo Sander Gillé (ATP-31) and Joran Vliegen (ATP-31) secured the first victory of the evening after a true thriller. Crowd favourite Zizou Bergs (ATP-69) quickly scored a second success by beating Argentinian Facundo Diaz Acosta (ATP-67) in two sets. Unfortunately, 19-year-old Alexander Blockx (ATP-231) had to lose against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech (ATP-62).
Belgian Day was kicked off by third seed Sander Gillé (ATP-31) and Joran Vliegen (ATP-31). The Belgians who reached the final of Roland Garros in 2023, took on Frenchmen Manuel Guinard (ATP-70) and Grégoire Jacq (ATP-62) in their first match.
Under the watchful eye of Davis Cup captain Steve Darcis, the Belgians took a difficult start. The teamwork was tough and thanks to some strong serves from Manuel Guinard (ATP-70), the French won the first set 6-4. In the second set, things went remarkably better. After a quick 3-0 lead, our compatriots won the second set 6-3.
A super tiebreak had to bring the decision and the scenario was almost impossible to imagine. After an even start, the Belgians could not exploit two match points and the momentum seemed to go to the French. An incredible miss by Guinard (ATP-70) decided otherwise after all. 4-6, 6-3, 13-11 was the final score. A thriller that sent the crowd into ecstatic applause.
After this epic duel, Center Court was transformed into a roaring arena. The entrance of crowd favourite Zizou Bergs (ATP-69) as the standard- holder of Belgian tennis created quite a stir in the Antwerp crowd. He took on Argentinian Facundo Diaz Acosta (ATP-67) in this first round.
The player from Pelt was clearly unimpressed. After an early break, he rushed to 2-4, yet he could not sustain that good start. The Argentine battled his way to 4-4 and started to play with ever-increasing confidence. But Zizou’s passion and the energy of the home crowd made the difference in the end. Our compatriot went through the Argentine’s serve at 5-5 and took the first set 7-5.
And in the second set too, there was initially little difference between the two players. At 4-4, Bergs (ATP-69) then went through the serve of Diaz Acosta (ATP-67) after all and secured a place in the next round. A primal scream echoed through the stadium and the crowd jumped straight up. Great entry from our young compatriot who visibly enjoyed it.
And then Antwerp player and top talent Alexander Blockx (ATP-231) was yet to come. Blockx (ATP-231), former number 1 in the juniors, took on Arthur Rinderknech (ATP-62) in the last match of the day. Not an easy task for our young Belgian, and it proved so on court. After an early break, the Frenchman took the first set 6-3.
In the second set too, the young Blockx (ATP-231) could not pick up a quick break. Our 19-year-old compatriot, who recently managed to beat Denis Shapalov (ex-ATP-10), unfortunately had to settle for a tough 6-3, 6-1 final score.
Another eye-catcher today was Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (ATP-68). Our northern neighbour, who knocked Carlos Alcaraz out of the US Open in 2023, had to acknowledge his superiority today to eighth-ranked Marcos Giron (ATP-64). The American, a quarter-finalist in Antwerp in 2020, took his 100th victory on the ATP tour 6-4, 6-1.
Looking ahead to Wednesday: Bailly goes for another stunt and big names enter the court for the first time
The fourth day of the European Open also has a lot going on. After his brilliant victories earlier in the tournament, Gilles-Arnaud Baily (ATP-869) takes on German Daniel Altmaier (ATP-84) in the second match of the day.
After Baily, the Tsitsipás brothers will take their turn. The defending champions start their tournament against Dutch duo Robin Haase (ATP-71) and David Pel (ATP-177).
First series leader Alex De Minaur (ATP-9) will also put his shoes on tomorrow. In his third appearance in Antwerp, the former finalist will take on Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round. (ATP-54)
Finally, Canadian talent Félix Auger-Aliassime (ATP-21) will also be in action. The 2022 winner will play against Hungarian Marton Fucsovics (ATP-87), who eliminated our compatriot Collignon (ATP-164) in the first round.