Davis Cup Final Day 1 Roundup

Great Britain stand on the verge of a first Davis Cup final success in 79 years after Andy and Jamie Murray combined once again to see off a second-set fightback from David Goffin and Steve Darcis to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Saturday’s pivotal doubles rubber in Ghent.

Steve Darcis and David Goffin of Belgium celebrate winning the second set against Jamie Murray and Andy Murray of Great Britain in the doubles during day two of the Davis Cup Final.

“You could argue it will not decide the tie, but it’s a good position to be in, winning the doubles”, Britain captain Leon Smith said.

“On a clay court I have some weapons to play a good match”, said Goffin, who has played nine sets in two days.

The opening singles of the tie, which was a “must-win” rubber for Belgium as they try to land their first title, was turning into a humiliation for Goffin when he trailed the world number 100 by two sets.

Andy Murray plays tennis for a living, and he doesn’t plan on being afraid of doing his job. I believe if we lost the doubles, we could win two singles on Sunday. Only having to win one of those two is better than having to win both.

And in the very next game, Darcis misfired on a smash at deuce to give Great Britain a set point, which it converted.

Darcis and Goffin seemed determined to control the set on their serve the rest of the way, and they did just that, holding for love in the final game to tie things up.

“I think it’s not a problem if I have to play five sets tomorrow”.

But those aren’t the statistics that have had Murray jumping up on the clay in celebration, and letting out great roars to unsettle those pushing their trolleys around the Ikea store next door.

Both sets of fans became increasingly raucous as more breaks were exchanged, with the Brit pairing claiming a decisive third, and Andy kept his cool in the cauldron-like atmosphere as he served out for a 2-1 lead. “I just have to give everything I have for the match”. In the very next game, the visitors took advantage of a double fault from Darcis to grab a break of their own, courtesy of a powerful volley from Andy Murray.

“The crowd has been fantastic, obviously with everything that was happening in Brussels, I’d like to thank everyone who made the trip to support us”, he said on court.

The British pair broke Darcis again in the third game of the fourth set and then somehow staved off seven break points on the Jamie Murray serve from 0-40 down to take a 3-1 lead. The World No 2 has a habit of finding a big first serve at the right time, though, and when an ace down the middle clinched the game the Belgians’ big moment had gone.

“I had one bad game, the first one of the match”, said Nadal, a two-time finalist at the season-ending tournament. We got our rewards. But I think physically I can play another match tomorrow. “For tomorrow and for Sunday, my motivation is higher than before the match”.

“I will be ready”.

So the Murrays were favoured to win this third rubber, and sure enough, Andy opened with a love hold, but Goffin showed his prodigious touch and footwork in some lively plays to keep the Belgians on level terms.

Andy’s triumphs were personal, rewards for the sacrifices made since moving to Spain as a callow teenager to further his ambitions in what is essentially an individual sport.