If at all reachable, he will get his racket on it, even if it means that he has to dive like a young Boris Becker at Wimbledon. This physical style and his extroverted presence make him extremely entertaining. His all-out attack style is supported by an excellent defense, on the forehand as well as the backhand.
Many players seem to feel more control when blocking with the backhand.
This may be because the ball's trajectory is more directly aimed at the player, and adjustments can be made more accurately. Both play for the same club, La Villette, in Charleroi, Belgium. It was not the intention of either player to eliminate the other so far from home. They could have played at Charleroi and called in the result by phone.