World number 2 Andy Murray guided Great Britain to its first ever Davis cup win since 1936 by beating Belgium’s David Goffin 6-3,7-5,6-3. Great Britain thus won the final 3-1 (best of five). With this win, Great Britain are now third in the most number of Davis cup titles with 10, behind USA and Australia.
The final of the Davis Cup was played between 27-29th November at the indoor clay courts of the Flanders Expo in Ghent, Belgium. Great Britain reached the final with a thrilling 3-2 win over Australia. Belgium too entered the final with a 3-2 win over Argentina.
The British team comprised of World number 2 Andy Murray, rising star Kyle Edmunds, world no.156 James Ward and doubles star and Wimbledon champion Jamie Murray. Belgium on the other hand comprised of world no.16 David Goffin, Rafael Nadal slayer Steve Darcis, world no.108 Rubén Bemelmans and 128th ranked Kimmer Coppejans.
The first match of the finals was played between David Goffin and Kyle Edmunds. Edmunds got off to a good start, taking the first two sets 6-3,6-1, but Goffin came back with a bang and took the next three sets 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 to win the first match 3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 and gave Belgium the lead.
The second match was played between Andy Murray and Rubén Bemelmans. Murray, who has been unbeatable in the Davis Cup this year eased through the match 6-3,6-2,7-5. With this win, Great Britain levelled the scores at 1-1.
The third match was a doubles encounter played by the Murray brothers, Andy and Jamie vs Belgium’s David Goffin and Steve Darcis. The Murray brothers played with perfection, outmatching their Belgian counterparts 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Thus, Britain got the advantage of a 2-1 lead over Belgium.
The next singles match was do or die for Belgium as David Goffin took on the invincible Andy Murray. A win for Murray would guarantee Britain the Davis cup. And Murray did so with flair, pulling out all his artillery and beating the Belgian 6-3,7-5,6-3.
After Murray won the match, he dropped down on his back with his teammates all over him. Murray wriggled his way out and went towards the Belgian camp to congratulate them for their efforts. Murray was then hoisted up by his teammates in celebration of their win.
This win is Britain’s first Davis Cup win since 1936 when Fred Perry lifted the Davis cup for his country.
This is a moment to cherish for British tennis and they would certainly be looking to add many more Davis cup titles.