Andy Murray rises above the din as tempers fray

That’s not just because he’s my brother, but because he’s an exceptionally good tennis player.

With the set under the belt, Andy Murray jumped wildly up and down, clenching his fist and pointing it at British supporters.

The new tactic yielded results quickly, as the team had the chance to break on three occasions in the third game, and Goffin eventually converted the final chance with a smash.

Great Britain still took the first set, courtesy of an exchange at close quarters that broke the Goffin serve, but the Belgians then began to take control by eschewing the standard doubles tactic of rushing forwards to the net.

Earlier, David Goffin rallied to beat Kyle Edmund 3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0, overcoming a two-set deficit for the first time in his career to put Belgium ahead.

With their Belgian opponents threatening to put a giant spanner in Britain’s bid for a long-awaited title, Andy and Jamie Murray’s bond proved unshakeable as they triumphed 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-2 against David Goffin and Steve Darcis.

The mini-revival halted, Goffin and his backers were very much back in the doldrums when Edmund stormed to the second set. “He turned that, and that’s something I need to learn from”, he said.

And with Andy Murray being Britain’s other singles player, if Edmund was able to finish off Goffin, the away side realistically would have departed from the opening singles tussles with a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-five match series.

He said: “I’ve never played against Andy on a clay court, so I’m going to try to play my best tennis”. But it is Andy, overall, who has provided most of the horsepower driving Great Britain towards this rarely glimpsed prize.

At the last two ties, against France and Australia, Andy Murray contributed all three of Britain’s points, and there is every chance that it could happen for a third round in succession. The world number 16 looked rigid with nerves in the opening two sets as 20-yearold Edmund, a surprise late choice for Britain’s second singles spot, romped in front with some destructive baseline power.

Whilst the Murray brothers look certain to start the doubles on Saturday, doubts shroud the Belgian selection. “But I don’t think for either team, if you lose it that the tie is over because I think both teams are capable of winning all of the points here”.

“It’s the first confrontation I have with him, match or practice”, revealed Bemelmans.

Britain got on top when a line judge was overruled and the point, given initially to Belgium, was replayed.

“It was tough for me at the beginning”, said Goffin.

The fifth-seeded Spaniard ended up with 15 break points, but converted only four – two in each set. “Hopefully we can get the job done”.

“We’re going to show tomorrow that we’re a strong group”, he added.

“I would rather be having two shots (at winning) tomorrow rather than one”.

“It’s not a nice feeling losing from two sets to love up”, conceded Edmund.

But it is hard to see the passionate and determined younger Scot, for all his “I feel pretty calm” after this doubles match, not rising to the opportunity to make more history.

“I don’t think (the doubles is) as important as in some of the ties”.

“I’m still confident”, Goffin told reporters. It helps me concentrate, it helps me give a little bit more effort.