Andy Murray levels Davis Cup final for Great Britain against Belgium

But, that was all he could do as Goffin started to play much better in the rest of the match, winning the next three sets easily, for a final 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-0 after two hours and 47 minutes.

A double fault from Goffin handed over another break, signalling the depth of his struggles, and Edmund exploited another tame service game to pull into a two-set lead.

The win made it nine out of nine for Murray in Davis Cup this year and he will look to make it 10 alongside his brother Jamie in the doubles on Saturday. Well yes. To British tennis and to Andy Murray.

Belgium have never won the Davis Cup in its 115-year history. Murray broke again to lead 5-2 and promptly served out to take a two-sets lead.

The transition seemed smooth enough through two sets in what was an entertaining contest – Bemelmans, a left-hander, mixed things up and had a good amount of success using drop shots.

Andy Murray swore Great Britain will win the Davis Cup on Saturday after getting hit with a point penalty for cursing.

Murray, by contrast, is no stranger to such pressure situations and victory over 108th-ranked Bemelmans looked set to be a stroll for the Scot. “It was a good atmosphere and it is going to be tough over the next couple of days”.

Edmund, making his Davis Cup debut, took early control of the match.

However, Goffin discovered his form just in time and Edmund wilted physically and mentally to go down 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-0 in just his second five-set match.

Andy Murray ticked off one of the three boxes he needs to fill to win Britain’s first Davis Cup since 1936 and now he needs the help of older brother Jamie.

“It was not easy”. The pattern of the next two sets would be Edmund, swinging freely, particularly with that heavy forehand as an error-strewn Goffin retreated into himself as the thought of his potential embarrassment awaited.

“It was hard for me to find my timing”.

The 28-year-old has always loved playing in a team environment and was head cheerleader when Ward stunned American number one John Isner in the first round. “He played really aggressive with his forehand”.

The writing was already on the way as Edmund began to resemble a man playing on the Challenger Tour as his game collapsed with Goffin rapidly improving and the 13,000 home crowd nearly contributing to a lap of honour for their man in the final set. “It’s clear I have to bring my very best tennis”, added Bemelmans.

It set the scene for that fractious third set, but Murray’s class told in the end as the stage is set for a weekend of dramatic action. He couldn’t get near me. It’s something I need to learn from.

After appearing emotional immediately after his defeat, Edmund was composed when he spoke to the media afterwards at which point he admitted tiredness and leg cramp had played their part in his demise.

“You are going up against a guy that is not ranked that high but moving up… they are more unsafe”.

Goffin, meanwhile, admitted he had been “a little bit worried” by Edmund’s start and tipped the young Briton to have a bright future. It was just disappointing that my body couldn’t hold up the way I would have liked it to. “Obviously it affects your mind on the match”.

Edmund will wait and see if he is required to play again in what would be a fifth and deciding rubber on Sunday.