Belgium's top player withdraws from Davis Cup in Vienna

Belgium will face Austria in the Davis Cup significantly weakened by absences.

Alexander Blockx will not travel to Vienna. This means the Belgian team's number one player will be absent. The 21-year-old had advanced to the quarterfinals at the US Open but had to retire in the third set against Karen Khachanov due to exhaustion.

Duel Now More Even

As a result, Belgium will compete against Austria in the Davis Cup with one, instead of the original three, top-40 players. Raphael Collignon (ATP No. 38) had already withdrawn a few days ago.

Belgium's Davis Cup captain Steve Darcis now has Zizou Bergs (ATP No. 37) as the new number one. Gauthier Onclin (ATP No. 158) and Kimmer Coppejans (ATP No. 217) have been called up to the team.

On paper, the chances for the ÖTV aces to reach the "Final 8" in Bologna are now increasing. Jürgen Melzer's team consists of Jurij Rodionov (ATP No. 143), Joel Schwärzler (ATP No. 171), Lukas Neumayer (ATP No. 191), and doubles specialists Lucas Miedler (doubles No. 28) and Neil Oberleitner (doubles No. 41).