The two Scots will once again join forces in Ghent on Saturday in the doubles – more often than not the key rubber in Davis Cup ties. “I have never played in front of a crowd like this”.
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This doubles clash was especially pivotal.
World number two Andy was inspired, as he has been throughout Britain’s run to a first final since 1978, and can deliver the winning point in Sunday’s first reverse singles against Belgium’s top player Goffin.
Murray, who improved to 9-0 in Davis Cup rubbers in 2015 with his win over Bemelmans, struck 27 winners against 15 unforced errors and was in control of the match for much of the way.
If Andy Murray downs Goffin, the trophy can officially be hoisted.
“We have two opportunities (Sunday) to win the match”, Andy Murray told the BBC.
“When I lost the point, I didn’t know why he’d called 30-love”, Murray said.
Defeat for Goffin would have left Belgium’s dreams in tatters.
Edmund’s effort in his debut Davis Cup appearance was an impressive one, but it is Murray who, not for the first time, and not the last this weekend, continues to lead by example as soon as he dons the British colours. “He is a world-class player with the crowd behind him it will be a hard match”.
This wasn’t the first time that a pair of British brothers had come together in a Davis Cup final to repel the Belgians, as Reggie and Laurie Doherty did just that in 1904 on a grass court in Wimbledon, but you can imagine that the flannel-trousered, Cambridge-educated Englishmen didn’t have to contend with this noise.
That’s not to say it wasn’t close. “We were shouting to each other at times but it’s brilliant, and it’s what you expect with so many passionate fans here for the final”.
The first game went to six deuces and Edmund saved two break points to win it in 12 minutes. Darcis, in what would be a theme on the day, erred on a return on a big point. It was looking very desperate for the Belgium and he was looking unlikely to even take a set against a determined Murray. The second day is the doubles matchup between the team of Coppejans and Darcis and the Murray brothers. He surrendered serve in the third game of the second, and the increasingly confident Belgian duo protected the lead.
The third set was to prove pivotal as nerves appeared to grip both sets of players, with breaks on four games before Britain prevailed 6-3.
But in what was the turning point of the two-hour, 49-minute affair, Darcis was immediately broken back. Darcis started stronger for Belgium only to see his level dip. David was still far from victory, but after the fourth set it was clear he would make a complete comeback.
In the second rubber, Belgium’s Reuben Bemelmans will take on World No. 2 Andy Murray. He also had to save a set point after double-faulting in the 10th game and celebrated wildly.
But it was break back for Britain in the next game, with Jamie Murray hitting a crisp volley to the body of Goffin.
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As Andy smashed his victor at the feet of Darcis he leapt in the air and skipped back to his seat at the side of court, exhibiting all the joy of a football striker scoring a cup final victor.
