"It’s very Belgian! After the match, I like to have some fun" - Zizou Bergs explains handshake between him and Sinner after superb singles win

Zizou Bergs found it a challenge on the clay courts of Monaco. He was superb in taking down a wasteful Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-1 in a brilliant result to put him into the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters.

Rublev took the first steps in front before instantly being pegged back. From 2-2, Bergs would drop just two games in a fantastic showing. He would have to defend three break points in the second set but in turn was clinical when an opportunity was offered to him. A break to love moved him 5-1 ahead over the Russian and he needed no second invitation to advance into the next round.

It is the first time he has won more than one match in a tournament since the United Cup at the start of the year, a welcome turnaround. "I’m feeling very good. It was a hell of a match today, and I’m really happy to have produced this level again," he told the Tennis Channel after the victory.

"The last time was in January, so it’s been a few months. In between, we struggled a bit with health—some illnesses and injuries. We’ve been working really hard the last weeks and months to get back to this level. So I think not only me, but also my team can be very happy."

Rublev today had many openings that were begging to be taken. In the end, he was limited to just one break despite having eight chances in total. Bergs did brilliantly to fend off the looming threat and would take his opportunities a lot more clinically.

"Putting the first serve in makes a big difference—that always helps," he explained. "And then, yeah, what should I say? Just try to play your game, even when you’re facing some demons. Today, I really managed, even when those moments came, to do the right thing at the right time."

By no means was it an easy victory. A former champion, Rublev knows how to win in Monte-Carlo, but apparently not on this occasion with the Belgian having the tools in his arsenal to get over the line. "It was tough and very physical at times. We had long rallies and both felt it. In those moments, I played the right tennis at the right time. You also see it on the other side—you’re up a set, he has break points and doesn’t take them. You give him a little opening at 4–1 in the second set, and that’s when the opponent can crack. So you stay in there, and hopefully you pull it off."

Clay is a very physical surface to master. There is nobody better than Rafael Nadal, who once stated that you need to “love the suffering” when competing on the surface.

Bergs could relate to that quote. "I think that’s exactly what we felt in that second set," he said. "The rallies were long, and he keeps making you move. At a certain point, you really feel it physically. Then it becomes more mental—whether you can stay there point after point. The one who can do that for the longest time has the best chance to win. That’s how I relate to it today."

The 26-year-old explained how the situation arose to step onto the court with one of the world's best. "We were training in Indian Wells and having some fun. We talked a bit about doubles, and after practice he asked me, 'Do you want to play doubles in Monte Carlo?' I said I’d think about it."

Obviously, he said yes, and they would go on to work well together on court. "A lot of people wonder why he chose me—honestly, I don’t know," he exclaimed. "But I went in open-minded, and we had a lot of fun. We talked a lot and played some good tennis together. Unfortunately, it ended today, but hopefully we can play together again in the future."

They would win their opening round match against fellow ATP talents Casper Ruud and Tomas Machac. A handshake between Bergs and Sinner would go viral after the 6-4, 7-5 victory.

"It’s very Belgian! After the match, I like to have some fun," he commented. "He gave me a normal handshake and I said, “Oh no, not just a hand, man!” I asked him if he knew the Romelu Lukaku–Kevin De Bruyne handshake. He said maybe, so I showed him—and then we did it. I’m sure they loved it in Belgium."

Unfortunately, the duo will play no more part in the Monte-Carlo Masters doubles tournament with them both set to be involved in the third round draw. For Bergs, he is looking to reach the quarterfinal of a Masters 1000 event for just the second time. World number three Alexander Zverev will be who he has to take down to complete this incredible feat.