The Davis Cup Qualifier tie between Belgium and Chile ended in controversial scenes on Sunday as a result of how Chile lost the fourth, and ultimately, deciding match between Cristian Garin and Zizou Bergs.
Belgium, the home team, found itself ahead 2-1 in the tie overall ahead of the fourth match after Sander Gille and Jordan Vliegen won a three-set opening doubles contest to begin Sunday’s slate of play. But the chaotic scene didn’t develop until late in the deciding set between Bergs and Garin. To conclude a tense 5-5 game on Garin’s serve, Bergs secured a crucial break by turning defense into offense after seven shots, and finished off a short rally with a dipping forehand passing shot that Garin couldn’t handle.
Mere points away from putting his country into the next round, the 25-year-old celebrated joyously after the point with a leap into the air as the home crowd in Hasselt cheered, and he continued to sprint towards his bench on the sideline with a finger held aloft. But he failed to see the oncoming Garin, who was crossing at the net to head to his own bench, and the two players collided. Garin, hit in the face and shoulder, fell to the court, as an apologetic Bergs could be seen speaking to both his opponent and the umpire.
The Chileans reportedly pleaded their case to be awarded victory by default to match officials to no avail, though Bergs was awarded a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Chilean then refused to resume play, and as he was set to be the returner in the next game, received a warning, point penalty, and then game penalty as a result of three consecutive time violations as he packed up his racquets.
