The Limburger, Belgian number 2, will face in the second round (32nd finals) the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (N.9), 33 years old, 10th in the world, exempt from the first round due to his seeded status.
Zizou Bergs will thus find a second time on the circuit Dimitrov who beat him in the round of 16 at Roland-Garros this year.
Earlier in the day, David Goffin, 33 years old, 65th in the world, defeated Australian James Duckworth (ATP 72), 32 years old: 6-4, 6-2 in 1h27.
Goffin and Bergs want to shine, Djokovic back after his failure in New York: everything you need to know about the Masters 1000 in Shanghai
The Belgian number 1 will face the Italian Lorenzo Musetti (ATP 18), 22, in the second round, who, as seeded N.15, is also exempt from the first round.
The Liégeois lost three times against Musetti in as many confrontations on the circuit, twice in the Grand Slam, at Roland Garros in 2021 and at the US Open in 2022, as well as, this year, at the Turin Challenger.
In doubles, Sander Gillé, 33, and Joran Vliegen, 31, are partners. They are both 33rd in the world doubles rankings. In the first round, the Belgian Davis Cup pair will be opposed to the 2nd seed of the tournament formed by the Croatian Mate Pavic, 31 years old, 3rd doubles player in the world, and the Salvadoran Marcelo Arevalo, 33 years old, 4th world doubles player . They are already guaranteed to compete in the Masters in November.
