Brussels: Steve Darcis completed a thrilling comeback to send Belgium into their first Davis Cup final for more than 100 years on Sunday, winning the deciding fifth rubber against Argentina.
The hosts had trailed 2-1 overnight but world number 15 David Goffin crushed Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 levelled things up and then Darcis, roared on by home fans in the Forest National, fought past Federico Delbonis 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3).
Darcis had squandered two match points at 5-4 in the fourth set but after forging ahead in the tiebreak he powered away a smash to end the contest and was immediately mobbed by his teammates who rushed on to court to celebrate.
Belgium, who have never won the team competition, will have home advantage against Andy Murray’s Britain who reached their first final for 37 years by beating Australia. Belgium’s only other final, way back in 1904, ended in a 0-5 defeat to Britain.
Victory had looked a big ask on Saturday as Argentina won the doubles to take a 2-1 lead, but the failure of their number one Leonardo Mayer to take to court on Sunday against Goffin helped swing the tie around.
Goffin described his performance as “perfect” as he left the stage for Darcis, perhaps best known for beating Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon in 2013, to finish the job.
