(VIDEO) Moutet blunder opens door for Belgium to dump France out of Davis Cup Finals

Belgium have started the 2025 Davis Cup Finals in brilliant fashion, as they knocked out the 10-time champions France 2-0. Raphael Collignon defeated Corentin Moutet 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 with the Frenchman severely denting his chances after a failed showboating effort. Zizou Bergs got the job done against Arthur Rinderknech in a 6-3, 7-6(4) triumph.

The Frenchman was in command from the early stages, getting two breaks of serve to streak into a 4-0 lead. It turned out to be an unassailable lead which his opponent would not be able to get back from. Collignon did have his chances. He missed a break point in two separate games to get back in the match as Moutet wrapped up the first set with his first opportunity.

Collignon came out of the blocks a lot quicker than in the first set. He broke the serve as he charged into a 2-0 lead. It would not last with Moutet quickly pegging him back to level procedures at 2-2. He was looking to get this match completed in flying colours to give his country the upper hand in this quarter-final tie.

It was very evenly matched as the set looked like it was going the distance. Then, when 6-5 down at 15-15, Moutet traversed forwards to the net looking to wrap up what was seemingly a routine point to take the advantage on serve and force a tiebreaker. With his opponent giving up on the point, Moutet decided to showboat and tried to produce a dropshot through the legs. Unfortunately, it did not work. This shot harmlessly went passed him. This would prove to be very costly. Collignon would go on to break and take the second set in the process.

In the third set, he was the one looking to pile the pressure on Moutet who must have been thinking about that point which got away. Collignon failed to take four break points in a set dominated by the server. In the 12 games, there were eight holds to love. It was especially clinical from Collignon who dropped just one point on his serve as he went 6-5 ahead. After finding himself 40-15 down, he won four points on the spin, culminating with a match point successfully taken to give Belgium the advantage.

It was a simple equation for the two players. Bergs needed to win to confirm a spot in the semi-finals for Belgium, Rinderknech needed to win to keep France's hopes alight. It was Bergs who sprinted out in front early on, winning three games on the spin including a crucial break to lead 4-1. He was relatively comfortable throughout, taking his second set point to put his country one set away from triumph.

Once again, a three-game burst saw him take command. He went 4-2 ahead and looked like he was going to serve this match out. This, however, was not that simple. As he was serving for the match, Rinderknech broke back, keeping his nation's hopes firmly alive. He would have the chance to level up proceedings but squandered two set points on the Bergs serve. The Belgium number one would make him regret those missed opportunities. He forced a tiebreaker before streaking ahead. He clinched his second match point and confirmed the victory for Belgium.

The doubles fixture between Benjamin Bonzi/Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Sander Gille/Joran Vliegen will not be played with Belgium already mounting an untouchable lead. They will compete for a final spot against the number one seeds Italy or Austria. For France, their hunt for a first title since 2017 continues.