Davis Cup 2015: Kyle Edmund defeated after David Goffin fightback as Belgium

David Goffin had earlier edged British newcomer Kyle Edmund in five sets, clawing his way back from two sets down.

And he rejected any notion that Belgian hopes would ultimately depend on Goffin pulling off a shock win over Murray in the reverse singles. I’ll look back on it and I’ll say I did my best. That gave a lot of boost to the youngster as he broke in the next game and took a 3-0 advantage after a love service game.

Belgium captain Johan Van Herck said he had feared the worst as Edmund blazed away on the clay.

Murray’s only worrying moments came in the third set when he received a penalty point for an audible obscenity before slipping 4-2 behind. Early in the third set Murray was warned about his language and was then deducted a point for another outburst, while Soren Friemel, the match referee, stepped in to have words as Van Herck became particularly animated.

Two breaks of serve were enough for the 28-year-old Murray to pocket the first set against Bemelmans, and he broke again at the start of the second to stamp his authority on the rubber. With the Brit making just one unforced error, the second set arrived soon after, clinched 6-1 courtesy of the latest in a raft of Goffin double faults.

The likely outcome is a 1-1 tie at the end of the first day that will set the scene for a potentially decisive doubles on Saturday when Murray and older brother Jamie will take on the untested pairing of Steve Darcis and Kimmer Coppejans.

South African-born Edmund showed no fear during his thrilling start, saving two break points in the first game before breaking the Belgian in the second with a sweeping forehand. If Kyle played three sets like this then okay, no problem, he plays unbelievable.

Speaking after his singles win, Murray played down that contest’s significance, saying: “I don’t think it’s as important as in some of the ties”.

He said: “I don’t mind a feisty atmosphere like that”.

‘I’m happy to take as much pressure on my shoulders as is needed, ‘ he said. We ll have this one at home also.

Murray has been a loyal supporter of his compatriots wherever they are playing around the world and sat in among the fans at the French Open to cheer on Edmund during his first-round win over Stephane Robert in May. My legs started to get exhausted.

Scot Smith said: “Yet again, Andy was very, very good at handling the environment, the crowd and an opponent who clearly had nothing to lose and was swinging away”.

Where is the Davis Cup final taking place? “For me, it would be an absolute shock if we don’t win the Davis Cup”.

In Ghent, Belgium. The tournament is never played at a neutral venue.

He also hinted Murray was right to feel the force of the officials for venting his frustrations on court.

“Okay, there was noise, but there will always be noise”. That was why I went to speak to the umpire, because literally I had no idea about either of the warnings because you can’t hear anything on the court. That’s what I said to the referee, and we didn’t receive a warning.

His 2015 results have been less spectacular, but he still comes into the Davis Cup final ranked world no. 16 after runner-up finishes in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Gstaad and reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon, which took him to a career-high ranking of world no. 14.