Neumayer Laments: "I Had the Match Completely Under Control"

Belgium achieves the expected 1-1 equalizer in the Davis Cup.

Top-40 player Zizou Bergs defeats Lukas Neumayer in three sets (for the match report >>>).

However, the course of the match provided more excitement than initially expected. Lukas Neumayer started in his Davis Cup form, playing much better than his world ranking of 180.

The Salzburg native confidently won the first set 6-2. The second set started exactly as the previous one had. Neumayer quickly led 2-0.

"I played extremely aggressively from the baseline, with few errors; I played extremely well there. I continued in the same way in the second set, which is why it hurts a bit that I then let the match slip away like that."

"Had the Match Under Control"

Then Zizou Bergs found his rhythm and showed why he is currently ranked 38th in the ATP world rankings. In an ORF interview, Bergs explained why it didn't work out from the start: "Lukas played an incredibly good tennis match. I played a bit too conservatively at the beginning and didn't know what to expect."

Despite the defeat, Neumayer takes positives from the match and knows why it started so well:

"Zizou's level then improved significantly in the middle of the second set. I believe that until then, I had the match completely under control. It felt extremely good. After that, I was perhaps 2-3% less effective. That's when I was immediately punished."

Slight Favorites in Doubles

Tomorrow's Davis Cup action begins with the doubles match featuring Lucas Miedler and Neil Oberleitner. They will play against Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen, who previously formed a doubles pairing together several years ago. They are the great unknown in the Belgian team.

Davis Cup captain Jürgen Melzer warns against the Belgian duo but sees Miedler/Oberleitner as slight favorites:

"They played together for many years. They know exactly what the other does. However, it does make a difference if you no longer play together every week on tour. There will also have been a reason why they split up. I see us perhaps as slight favorites, I'd give us 55 to 45."

"Can Definitely Beat Him"

In a potential fifth match, Lukas Neumayer could face Kimmer Coppejans (ATP No. 217). He has already played against him twice and lost both times.

However, Neumayer approaches the task positively: "I have complete faith in our guys and hope that it's over after the first two matches tomorrow. Should it come to a fifth match, I would naturally be completely ready.

Back then, I didn't play my best tennis either, and I believe a lot has changed for me during this time. I think if such a match were to happen, I can definitely beat him."