Davis Cup: Great Britain hand Edmund debut in Davis Cup final

British captain Leon Smith confirmed on Thursday that he had chosen the 20-year-old rookie from Yorkshire as his second singles player for the tie and he will face David Goffin in the opening rubber on Friday. Darcis could return for the deciding singles rubber instead of Ruben Bemelmans if Sunday goes to the wire. He has dropped doubles specialist Dominic Inglot, who partnered Jamie Murray to a close loss against the Bryan Brothers in their first round against the US earlier this year.

With Murray the favored to win both singles on the red clay, Edmund will have an uphill battle to with either of his.

Murray has nearly single-handedly dragged the team to a first final since 1978, which starts on Friday, and within touching distance of ending a 79-year wait to be crowned world champions. Belgium’s only previous appearance in the final came 111 years ago when they lost to what was then the British Isles.

Kyle Edmund will make his Davis Cup debut in the final after being selected as Britain’s number two singles player.

Belgium, meanwhile, are playing in only their second final and their first since losing to Great Britain in 1904.

The subsequent rise through the divisions to reach the final has been the fastest in the competition’s 115-year history.

“But I also believe in all of the players in our team”.

More than 1,000 British fans were expected to attend to see if they can celebrate a first Davis Cup title win since 1936, with majority travelling through Brussels by air or rail.

The pair have never met before so I can see this one getting easier as it goes on for Murray, who is very adept at figuring out an opponent’s game during the course of a match. “The two nations played all their matches at home this year”. It’s taken a lot of time and hard work from many players, numerous staff, coaches, physios, everyone.

Considering the fact that Andy Murray is in the team, everything he has done for Great Britain this season in the Davis Cup, it’s fair to say that Great Britain is the favourite. “I just have to forget this match and to think about the matches of this weekend”. I know they put in a lot of work even before that. I’m sure there have been cancellations but at the same time there are also people that are looking for tickets so it might be a chance for them to come.

‘It is going to be louder, a new experience for me.

The big-hitters could get stuck into GB, who have been shortening this week, but 1/4 quotes are short enough for me when you consider that an injury to their star man would well and truly derail them.

“For us it’s a huge event”, said Belgian captain Johan Van Herck. “But its a good problem-and it’s exciting!” It’s something I’m going to have to learn as I go through the match.

Should Edmund be picked, it would be the most high pressured of debuts, with no debutant having ever won a live rubber in the final before.

With the Murray brothers reuniting to play doubles, and with Jamie arguably in the best form of his career, Smith has at least given himself some insurance of his own with keeping James Ward in the side.