World number 163 Zizou Bergs sent Belgium through to the Davis Cup Finals ©Getty Images

Belgium survived a major scare to qualify for the Davis Cup, coming from behind to overcome Finland, while Olympic champion Alexander Zverev was twice victorious as Germany saw off Brazil.

Zverev, who had not played in the Davis Cup since 2019 and has been a harsh critic of the tournament's new format, was in action for the first time since being expelled from the Mexican Open in disgrace for repeatedly hitting the umpire's chair with his racquet.

The 24-year-old beat Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-4, 6-2 in the opening match in Rio de Janeiro, playing on clay courts at the Olympic Tennis Centre.

Another straight-sets victory in match four - 6-1, 7-5 versus Thiago Monteiro - secured the 3-1 win for Brazil.

On the hard courts of Espoo Metro Areena, Finland moved into a 2-1 lead and just one win away from the Davis Cup Finals, but David Goffin and world number 163 Zizou Bergs came through clutch for Belgium.

Goffin beat Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4, 6-2 to send the qualifier to a deciding fifth match, and 22-year-old Bergs won that 6-4, 6-0 against Otto Virtanen.

Belgium were runners-up in 2015 and 2017.

The side Belgium lost to in the 2017 final, France, found the going far easier versus Ecuador and emerged 4-0 victors.

The United States, Argentina and The Netherlands also went through by the same scoreline, respectively defeating Colombia, the Czech Republic and an understrength Canada.

Two Jannik Sinner singles victories propelled Italy past Slovakia at NTC Arena in Bratislava, although it was Lorenzo Muserri who earned the decisive win.

Kwon Soon-woo starred in South Korea's win versus Austria ©Getty Images
Kwon Soon-woo starred in South Korea's win versus Austria ©Getty Images

Kazakhstan also produced a road win to knock out Norway 3-1, while Kwon Soon-woo was South Korea's star in a triumph by the same scoreline over Austria.

Sweden beat Japan, Australia saw off Hungary and 2019 champions Spain overcame Romania to almost complete the line-up for the main event.

Wildcards Serbia and Britain, plus 2021 runners-up Croatia, had already secured their Davis Cup Finals berths.

A Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) team won the 2021 Davis Cup, but has been banned from the International Tennis Federation tournament following the invasion of Ukraine.

That leaves 15 of the 16 places occupied, with a decision expected next week on an additional wildcard to replace the RTF.