Every sportsman dreams of being their country’s hero, and
twenty-one year David Goffin had the chance to be just that. When he guided
Belgium’s Davis Cup team to a world group play off, sealing victory over Great
Britain at the Braehead Arena.
With world number four Andy Murray again absent from the
British line up, it was always going to be an uphill task against a higher
ranked Belgium team containing two top hundred players. It was another step up
for GB Captain Leon Smith, as he watched the experience of Steve Darcis and
Olivier Rochus narrowly prevail over Josh
Goodall and Dan Evans in Friday’s singles,giving the visitors a commanding lead after day one
Established doubles duo of Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins
had kept the tie alive on Saturday, after overcoming Ruben Bemelmans and debutant
Goffin, and after news of Rochus’s withdrawal through injury Britain again
believed they could cause an upset.
A tough day for Goodall in his second davis cup tie |
Goffin who recently qualified for the Miami masters last month, then continued
to show his potential dictating the play and taking time away from Goodall,
before taking the opening set by six games to four.
A controversial line call in the first game of the second
set saved Goodall from another early break, as his dangerous serve stayed
beneath its best. But Goffin unfazed by the occasion never showed his lack of
experience, as he broke just two games later to silence of the flat Braehead
crowd.
Goodall running out of ideas, tried to mix up his game by
coming to the net. But his inspired opponent answered everything he threw at
him, while his big serving came to his rescue on Goodall’s few break points.
The Brit was again forced to save break points at the start
of the third, but Goffin once more broke in game three of the set and looked to
be on his way to the victory. But Goodall still had the energy for one last
push, breaking straight back before saving six break points and hang on to the
tie.
However Goffin once again regained
momentum, as he saw out the match 6-4 6-4 6-4 to move Belgium into a world
group play off. Britain will remain in group 1 but can take real promise away
from this tie, after pushing Belgium all the way producing some highly
entertaining tennis.
Results
Friday 6th April
S Darcis (Bel) bt J Goodall (GB) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 6-4
O Rochus (Bel) bt D Evans (GB) 3-6 6-4 7-6(7) 6-4
Saterday 7th April
C Fleming and R Hutchins (GB) bt R Bemelmans and D Goffin
(Bel) 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4
Sunday 8th
April
D Goffin (Bel) bt J Goodall (GB) 6-4 6-4 6-4
R Bemelmans (Bel) bt D Evans (GB) 6-4 6-4
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