Loncelle grabs only one set against Merckx

HOOGLEDE - Two players of the four in the quarterfinals of the first day needed two sets for the win. Frédéric Caudron defeated Henk Blauwblomme, Peter de Backer won against Marco Janssen. Francis Forton and Eddy Merckx forced the qalification in a deciding set. Caudron beat Blauwblomme 15-6 and 15-13, Peter de Backer won the duel with Marco Janssen 15-7, 15-3.

Francis Forton must beat Eddy Merckx to reach the semifinals on Sunday. Frédéric Caudron meets Peter de Backer this evening. It promises to be two very interesting matches between players who were the best of this first day in the Belgium Cup.

Eddy Merckx dropped a stitch in his second set against Johan Loncelle, which he lost 15-10 in eleven innings. Francis Forton lost his first set like in his first match, but after 1-0 behind he beat Geert Meylemans 2-1.