ILKLEY/STARNBERG, June 20, 2022
Belgian Zizou Bergs picked up his fourth ATP Challenger Tour career title at the Ilkley Trophy as he defeated former World No. 8 Jack Sock from the United States 7-6(7), 2-6, 7-6(6) in a marathon match lasting two hours and 44 minutes.
Sock led the final set tie-break 4-2 but Bergs dug deep to get himself back into a winning position and his relentless groundstrokes proved too consistent for the US-American.
Coming all the way from qualifying, 23-year-old Bergs left everything out on court all week picking up impressive wins along the way over Andreas Seppi and Top-100 player Alexei Popyrin. The victory means that Bergs will earn a wild card into this year’s Wimbledon Championships, his first main draw appearance at a Grand Slam.
The first 🇧🇪 to win on grass in 13 years!
With his victory in Ilkley, @ZizouBergs becomes the first Belgian to triumph on 🌱 since Olivier Rochus at 2009 Manchester. pic.twitter.com/VjwxmdWRmm
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) June 19, 2022
“Pretty incredible. I mean it’s been five years I haven’t played on grass,” said Bergs. “When I played in juniors it was a really bad experience to be honest, I didn’t win one match. So to be able here to deliver such a level, for me it’s incredible to see it, to feel it, to build further on that and then after that starting from qualies it’s been a tough week but just so so happy to be through with it.”
By winning his first title of the season, the World No. 207 earned €18,290 in prize money as well as 125 ATP Ranking points.
