United Cup
Bergs battles past Mensik to give Belgium lead in United Cup QFs
Mertens can seal tie against Krejcikova
January 08, 2026
Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
Zizou Bergs defeats Jakub Mensik Thursday evening in Sydney for his second victory of the 2026 United Cup.
By ATP/WTA Staff
Zizou Bergs’ dream start to the season is only getting better.
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.
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.
“First of all, I didn’t even know I was 5-4 up and then I got broken and I was 5-5,” Bergs said. “And then I break back and you just want to finish, 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.”
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.
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’s place in the United Cup semi-finals when she faces Barbora Krejcikova.