Davis Cup: Britain go ahead

Ghent (Belgium): Andy and Jamie Murray gave Britain a 2-1 lead over Belgium in the Davis Cup final in Ghent on Saturday when they defeated David Goffin and Steve Darcis 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the doubles.

The final will be decided on Sunday with the two reverse singles. Andy Murray will take on Goffin first up in a clash of the two number ones with Ruben Bemelmans scheduled to take on Kyle Edmund in the final rubber.

There could be changes though for the closing match if the final is still alive with Darcis thought to be likely to play for the Belgians and possibly James Ward for Britain.

Earlier, Top players Andy Murray and David Goffin both won their opening singles for Britain and Belgium in the Davis Cup final in Ghent on Friday, but in contrasting styles.

While Murray swept aside the challenge of Ruben Bemelmans 6-3, 6-2, 7-5, Goffin had to claw his way back from the brink of defeat to edge British newcomer Kyle Edmund 3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0.

With the final tied at 1-1, the focus will now switch to Saturday’s potentially decisive doubles when Murray will link up once again with older brother Jamie, before taking on Goffin in the first of Sunday’s reverse singles.

If he wins both of these rubbers, Britain will have won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1936 when Fred Perry was the kingpin. Two-and-a-half-years ago, Murray won Wimbledon as the first British player to do so since Perry in 1936.

Belgium have never won the Davis Cup in its 115-year history. Two breaks of serve were enough for the 28-year-old Murray to pocket the first set.