Strong performance after a shaky start
It was a classic three-set thriller at the ATP Masters 1000 in Montreal: Zizou Bergs, seeded 31st, had to absorb an early blow against Argentine Sebastián Báez. In the opening set, Báez was focused and purposeful, converting his break points with 100 percent efficiency to claim the set comfortably 6-3. Questions began to mount over the Belgian — but Bergs refused to be rattled.
From the second set onwards, the match changed completely. Bergs imposed himself with his serve, backing it up with seven aces across the match. His serving percentages rose to impressive levels: he won 81 percent of first-serve points outright, allowing him to dictate play and pile pressure on Báez's return games. The second set went clearly to the Belgian 6-3 — the comeback was underway.
A statement of intent in the third set
What followed was a show of force. In the deciding third set, Bergs left almost nothing on the table. He won 31 percent of return games overall, while Báez managed just 15 percent and increasingly struggled to fend off break points. The numbers paint a clear picture of Bergs's dominance: he won 54 percent of all points in the match, held serve in 85 percent of his service games, and closed out the third set 6-2.
Báez battled hard but could never recapture the level he had shown in the opening set. Both players committed four double faults apiece — yet while Bergs grew in assurance from the baseline as the match progressed, the Argentine lost his way. In the overall point tally, Bergs came out well ahead, winning 54 percent to 46 percent.
Context and what comes next
It was only the second career meeting between Bergs and Báez — and once again the Belgian came out on top. He had already beaten the Argentine at the 2024 European Open in Antwerp, and the head-to-head now reads 2-0 in favour of the man from Lommel, who earlier this year wrote his name into the history books by claiming his first ATP Tour title in Eastbourne.
In Montreal, the draw has opened up considerably following the withdrawal of several top players, giving Bergs a genuine opportunity to make a deep run. With this performance — a composed recovery after dropping the first set — he has shown he is ready to seize it. The round of 16 brings the next challenge.
