Munar withdraws, sending Fils through as Bergs wins on Belgian Day

Fils into the quarter-finals without playing

Top seed Arthur Fils is into the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open without hitting a ball. Jaume Munar, his scheduled second-round opponent, withdrew from the Brussels event on Tuesday, a day after beating Federico Cinà 6-4, 6-3 in the first round.

No official reason was given for the Spaniard's withdrawal. Spanish outlet Punto de Break reported that an injury is suspected. Munar has dealt with physical problems all season and had earlier spoken about suffering "a lot" with his arm. He is hoping to be part of Spain's team for the Davis Cup Finals in Turin in November.

For Fils, the walkover is a welcome bonus in the race for the ATP Finals. After a first-round bye he already has a quarter-final place, and he will play his first match on Friday. His opponent will come from the section that includes fifth seed Alex Michelsen, who won his opener in 60 minutes on Monday, and the first-round match between home favourite David Goffin and lucky loser Rémy Bertola.

Bergs delivers on Belgian Day

On Belgian Day at Brussels Expo, sixth seed Zizou Bergs won his first-round match against Britain's Toby Samuel 6-3, 7-6(3) in 88 minutes. Bergs, ranked 41st, broke early to take the opening set. Samuel, ranked No. 96, then pushed him all the way to a tie-break in the second.

Bergs admitted that the home atmosphere had distracted him at first. "I felt very happy to see you all. I was like 'I know that face, I know that face'... I had to zone in," he said on court, according to the ATP. Speaking to Sporza, he also blamed jet lag from Shanghai, where he had beaten Carlos Alcaraz. Bergs lost in the first round of his home event in 2025. He is chasing his second title of 2026 after winning in Eastbourne, and he will play Dino Prižmić or Damir Džumhur on Thursday.

The evening also went well for Raphaël Collignon. The Belgian came from behind to beat qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy and end a losing streak. Collignon had also won a doubles match alongside Goffin on Monday.

WTAAuger-Aliassime pulls out of Basel too, ending his ATP Finals bid

Griekspoor survives, Van de Zandschulp falls

The Dutch players had a mixed day. Tallon Griekspoor needed almost three full sets to beat German Max Schoenhaus 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 7-5. It was only his second win in seven matches and his first time past the opening round in Brussels. Seventh seed Botic van de Zandschulp lost 6-1, 6-4 to French qualifier Clément Chidekh, who earned his first tour-level win.

Elsewhere, eighth seed Mariano Navone won the all-Argentine match against Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 7-6(10), 6-2. Jan-Lennard Struff beat Marcos Girón 7-6(3), 7-6(3) in two tie-breaks.

The quarter-final line-up is now taking shape around Fils. He arrives fresh in Brussels and needs results to secure his place in Turin. Before his Friday match, the Belgian players carry the home crowd's hopes: Goffin's singles farewell begins against Bertola, Bergs plays on Thursday, and Collignon is also still in the draw.