David Goffin, the soon-to-retire former Belgian No. 1, can expect a warm reception from the Brussels crowd this week, and that support could make him awkward to face. Form, however, is firmly against him, with his level over recent months falling well short of what he once produced.
His last outing ended in a heavy 1-6 0-6 defeat to Clement Chidekh at Challenger level. Remy Bertola, meanwhile, has been steadily improving and picking up encouraging results lately, and if that momentum holds, he should take control of this one comfortably.
Bertola Chases Maiden Tour-Level Main-Draw Victory
- Goffin has failed to win a main-draw match in any of the 11 tournaments he has played in 2026.
- His last tour-level main-draw victory came at the Shanghai Masters last year.
- Bertola is seeking his first tour-level main-draw win this week.
- Bertola has failed to win a main-draw match in eight of his last 10 tournaments.
HTH
This will be their first meeting.
Goffin Looks To Sign Off At Home After Difficult Season
David Goffin has decided to bring his professional career to an end at this week’s tournament in Brussels, making his final appearance at his home event. This is his second appearance at the tournament, having lost in the first round on his debut last year.
The 35-year-old has struggled with multiple injuries in recent years, which have taken a significant toll on him both physically and mentally. His most recent setback was a knee injury sustained last year, which continues to trouble him and has been a decisive factor in his retirement decision.
Goffin has played 11 tournaments across all levels this year, with every campaign ending either in qualifying or in the opening round. He has also failed to win a tour-level main-draw match since Shanghai last year.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Belgium |
| Age | Born 7 December 1990 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| World Ranking | No. 657 |
| Career High | No. 7 (20 November 2017) |
| Elo Ranking | No. 157 |
| Tour-Level Titles | 6 |
Bertola Gets Lucky Loser Lifeline In Brussels
After defeating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a tight three-set battle in the opening round of qualifying, Remy Bertola lost his next match to Federico Cina despite taking a set and holding a break lead. However, he has received another opportunity in Brussels as a lucky loser and will look to make the most of his main-draw chance.
The 28-year-old has endured a difficult spell in recent months, winning just two main-draw matches across his last 10 tournaments at all levels.
Despite his struggles to produce consistent results, Bertola has reached five quarterfinals on the Challenger Tour in 2026, helping him remain inside the top 250. This will be only his second tour-level main-draw appearance. He lost his previous match at this stage to Jaume Munar in Basel last year.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Age | Born 31 August 1998 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| World Ranking | No. 219 |
| Career High | No. 174 |
| Elo Ranking | No. 157 |
| Tour-Level Titles | 0 |