Bergs triumphs in Belgian marathon duel

Both Belgian participants in the men’s singles at Libéma Open kept each other busy in the first round. Zizou Bergs won the showdown with his compatriot Alexander Blockx, after a huge grass fight lasting two hours and 49 minutes: 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3.

Mackenzie McDonald, like Blockx a qualifier, was also on the court for a long time against Mattia Bellucci. The American did emerge victorious after two hours and 41 minutes against the semi-finalist of the ATP Rotterdam tournament: 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3.

Bergs and McDonald face tough assignments in the second round. Fourth seed Alexei Popyrin is Bergs’ opponent. McDonald takes on third seed Karen Khachanov.