Zizou Bergs has stunned world number 18 Jakub Mensik and Elise Mertens outplayed Barbora Krejcikova as Belgium beat the Czech Republic 2-0 in the United Cup quarter-finals on Thursday to set up a last-four clash with Switzerland.
Mensik struggled with double faults in the second set as Bergs won 6-2 7-6(4), before Mertens beat Krejcikova 5-7 6-1 7-5 to seal the tie.
Bergs, ranked 42nd in the world, landed four aces as he took the first set in 31 minutes, and kept his cool through a tense second-set tiebreak to clinch his second straight win over a top-20-ranked opponent, having beaten Canadian world number five Felix Auger-Aliassime in the group stage.
"You’re so close, you’re playing big points. I got tight, I go backwards, I play defensive. So it was a very big struggle in the end. I'm so happy for myself and the team," Bergs said.
Mertens wore down two-time Grand Slam winner Krejcikova who committed seven double faults in the third set.
"I felt like I had to play a little aggressive... I'm really happy I could turn it around. It was 1-0 for Belgium, so I could play freely, thanks to Zizou," Mertens said.
Australia face Poland on Friday for a place in Saturday's first semi-final against the United States.
Pegula wins thriller at WTA Finals, Gauff eliminated
Norway says Russian, Belarusian athletes barred from competitions it hosts
Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro join Fursan Hispania FC as shareholders
Italy seal dominant win over France as Kane sets England appearance record
Luiten leads the way at DP World Tour Championship
