Belgium beat Australia to reach Davis Cup Final 8 despite De Minaur fight back

SYDENY (Agencies): Australia’s comeback attempt from a 2-0 deficit fell short on Sunday when Belgium’s Raphael Collignon beat Aleksandar Vukic in the decisive fifth match in Sydney to secure a 3-2 win in their qualifying tie and a place in November’s Davis Cup Final 8. U.S. Open quarter-finalist Alex de Minaur, who had hoped for a “comeback story” despite Saturday’s losses, beat Zizou Bergs in straight sets to level the second-round tie after Australia’s Jordan Thompson and Rinky Hijikata had won the doubles match. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here. But Collignon, who beat world number eight De Minaur on Saturday, shook off a first-set stumble against Vukic to win 6-7(5) 6-2 6-3. Belgium became the seventh team to reach the Final 8 after Argentina, Austria, France, Germany, Czech Republic and defending champions Italy, who qualified as hosts. Denmark, who took a 2-0 lead over Spain in Marbella on Saturday, are one win away from becoming the eighth team to qualify. The Final 8 will take place in Bologna from November 18 to 23.