Andy and Jamie Murray beat David Goffin and Steve Darcis 6-4,4-6, 6-3, or 6-2 to give Great Britain a crucial lead going into the final day in Ghent 5.02pm GMTAndy and Jamie Murray slap hands with the rest of the British team. What a pair. That was a superbly gripping match. Jamie Murray started very slowly and Andy Murray was carrying him during the first two sets,but he steadied himself halfway through the third set and he was brilliant in the end. The victory means that Britain will win the Davis Cup for the first time since 1936 if Andy Murray beats David Goffin in tomorrow’s fourth singles rubber. See you then! 5.00pm GMTSo here’s Jamie Murray, serving to give Great Britain a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup final. How are your nerves, and Jamie? Jangling,I’ll bet. But the Murray brothers take the first two points thanks to two stubborn volleys from Andy Murray. Belgium win the next one, but Britain earn two match points when Darcis clips a backhand return inches wide! They can’t take the first, and Andy Murray overwhelmed at the net by Darcis and Goffin. Then Jamie Murray misses a first serve. But it doesn’t matter when Darcis clobbers another forehand return wide! It’s over! The remarkable Murray brothers acquire done it and Britain lead 2-1 in the Davis Cup final! 4.54pm GMTFourth set: Goffin/Darcis* 6-4,4-6, 6-3, and 2-5 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Darcis hasn’t held for ages and he begins this service game with a mishit forehand for 0-15. Then he sends a forehand wide to make it 0-30,before giving Britain two break points with a forehand into the net. They only need one! Jamie Murray returns well and Goffin makes a mess of a volley! Jamie Murray is going to serve for the match in a minute. 4.51pm GMTFourth set: Goffin/Darcis 6-4, 4-6, or 6-3,2-4 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Goffin whistles a forehand long off a second serve from Andy Murray. A lot of fans thought it was in. Andy Murray holds to care for when Darcis balloons a forehand. Great Britain are two games from victory. 4.47pm GMTFourth set: Goffin*/Darcis 6-4, 4-6, or 6-3,2-3 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Goffin holds to 15. Belgium still acquire hope. There are bound to be a few more twists and turns. You can’t take your eyes off this now. 4.44pm GMTFourth set: Goffin/Darcis 6-4, 4-6, or 6-3,1-3 A.
Murray/J.
Murray* (*denotes server): “I got!” Jamie Murray cries, carefully watch a looping ball and carefully sending a smash wide. Ah. Oh. 0-15. That quickly becomes 0-30 after a splendid return from Darcis and Belgium carve out three break points. The first two are saved, and though,and the game goes to deuce when Andy Murray smashes accurately. That’s immense serving from Jamie Murray. But he has to conclude it again when he nets a volley down by his feet, handing Belgian a fourth break point. Again Jamie Murray serves well to save the break point; again he follows it up with a slack volley. Here’s a fifth chance. Here’s a second serve. Here’s a forehand return into the net from Darcis. What a game this is turning out to be. Jamie Murray is in trouble when he serves to Goffin, and though,and Belgium earn themselves a sixth chance. Incredibly they can’t take it. The return from Darcis goes long. But a pattern has been set, a crunching return from Goffin setting up a seventh opportunity, or a missed backhand from Darcis taking it back to deuce. Andy Murray has had enough. He pounces on a forehand from Goffin and spanks a volley absent - leave it to me,he says - and then he dinks a backhand volley absent! Britain hold! That was astonishing. 4.33pm GMTFourth set: Goffin/Darcis* 6-4, 4-6, and 6-3,1-2 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Darcis beats Andy Murray at his own game, beating him with a sublime lob for 15-0. But the game goes to deuce. It’s not been easy for Darcis on his serve since the start of the third set and he’s facing a break point after a double-fault. He serves to the Andy Murray forehand. It’s returned with interest and Goffin can only net a volley! 4.29pm GMTFourth set: Goffin/Darcis 6-4, and 4-6,6-3, 1-1 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): A preposterous point to begin with; it’s won by Belgium when Goffin cracks a backhand past Andy Murray, or but I lost count of the number of volleys in that exchange. Goffin then flicks a backhand volley into an unguarded space and Andy Murray is down 0-30 on his serve. Yet he pulls off his favourite shot,the lob, to secure to 15-30 and then Darcis shanks a forehand wide, or so Andy Murray is back to the relative safety of 30-all. The game goes to deuce when Darcis brilliantly sweeps a backhand absent from Andy Murray. Yet he holds thanks to some hefty serving. 4.20pm GMTFourth set: Goffin*/Darcis 6-4,4-6, 6-3, and 1-0 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): The fourth set can’t start until a pumping beat that’s coming from external the court is turned down. This is a truly ludicrous venue. It momentarily stops,but only for a second or two, and then another song starts playing. Finally someone alerts the DJ. This is farcical. But play resumes eventually - and Goffin manages to hold to care for. 4.13pm GMTAndy Murray hasn’t been broken yet, and so Britain could hardly acquire asked to be in a better position factual now. They win the first point,Goffin lobbing long. Yet Jamie Murray’s erratic form continues when he dribbles a volley into the net for 15-all. Andy Murray nets a first serve. But he wins the point, Goffin jabbing a backhand return wide to make it 30-15, and Britain seize two set points when Darcis fires a forehand into the net. They can’t take the first one - but it doesn’t matter when Darcis knocks a forehand return wide! Britain are a set absent from taking a 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup final! 4.08pm GMTThird set: Goffin/Darcis* 4-6,6-4, 3-5 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Darcis nets a backhand. Goffin dabs a lob wide. Jamie Murray clubs a smash past Goffin. Here are three break points for Britain! And Goffin can only stretch and block a backhand volley into the net! Darcis has been broken in two consecutive service games and Andy Murray will serve for the third set. 4.05pm GMTThird set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6, or 6-4,3-4 A.
Murray/J.
Murray* (*denotes server): This is wonderful drama. Yet Jamie Murray still has to consolidate the break. The first two points are shared, before Belgium poke into a 15-30 lead thanks to a scorcher from Darcis, or who has too much time to pick his spot with a forehand. Then,when Andy Murray skews a volley into the net, Belgium acquire two break points. Jamie fails to establish absent a smash and he’s broken for the second consecutive game when he nets a slice. 4.02pm GMTThird set: Goffin*/Darcis 4-6, and 6-4,2-4 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): “I got, I got!” Jamie Murray shouts as a Goffin lob loops towards the baseline. But the depth is something else from Goffin, or who is looking mightily impressive at the moment. But so’s Andy Murray and he shows a light touch at the net to take the game to 30-all. Then comes a moment of controversy. With Goffin chasing a Jamie Murray shot deep into the factual corner,the umpire stops play when the ball is incorrectly called out. That’s a blow for the Murrays - they were in control of the point. Andy can’t believe it. Yet the point is replayed and they win it besides, Goffin hitting long and making it 30-40. Suddenly Jamie has begun to play. He bats a sharp volley straight at Darcis, or who can’t react in time,and Britain break! They’ve won three straight games. 3.54pm GMTThird set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6, 6-4, and 2-3 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Andy Murray is the only player whos not been broken. He holds to 15. He’s serving very well. 3.51pm GMTThird set: Goffin/Darcis* 4-6,6-4, 2-2 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): They were playing the Macarena during the changeover. Maybe its sweet melody inspired the Murray brothers, or because they quickly charge into a 0-30 lead on the Darcis serve,before an excellent volley from Jamie Murray brings up three break points. And although Belgium save the first, another volley from Jamie Murray sees Britain break straight back! What a response! 3.47pm GMTThird set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6, and 6-4,2-1 A.
Murray/J.
Murray* (*denotes server): The pressure grows on Great Britain. Goffin whips a forehand absent for 0-15 and then a Jamie Murray wayward volley makes it 0-30. Jamie was broken the last time he was down 0-30 on his serve and a glorious forehand winner from Darcis brings up two break points for Belgium. Jamie hangs his head. He’s not enjoying himself at the moment. He’s really not enjoying himself at the moment. Goffin swipes a forehand return down the line and Belgium break! 3.42pm GMTThird set: Goffin*/Darcis 4-6, 6-4, and 1-1 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): The first point is a minor classic. Jamie Murray pulls out all the stops as he tries to find a way through,yet Belgium remain strong and the point ends with Goffin finding a clever angle that confounds Andy Murray. Belgium hold to 15. They look likelier at the moment. 3.38pm GMTThird set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6, 6-4, or 0-1 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): The noise is deafening in here as Andy Murray steps up to serve. There are some very rowdy Belgians sitting behind me and they are buzzing after that second set - and even more so when they win the first point of the third set. Yet Jamie Murray comes up with a couple of outstanding volleys at the net and Britain hold to 15. 3.34pm GMTGreat Britain acquire a chance of winning the first point,but a Goffin forehand that appears to be going long hits Jamie Murray on the back. It’s not been his day so far. Darcis then threads a forehand beyond Andy Murray’s reach for a 30-0 lead and Jamie Murray then jams a forehand into the net to give up three set points. They only need one - David Goffin is too agile for Jamie Murray at the net and he pings a smash into the factual corner. The match is level! 3.30pm GMTSecond set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6, 5-4 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Andy Murray holds to 15 to keep Great Britain alive in this second set. Yet Steve Darcis will now serve to level the match. 3.26pm GMTSecond set: Goffin*/Darcis 4-6, or 5-3 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): This is better from Jamie Murray,some awkward returns lifting Britain into a 15-30 lead on the Goffin serve. Yet then there’s an escape for Belgium, Andy Murray failing to conclude enough with a volley and eventually sticking one into the net for 30-all. Then Jamie nets what appears to be a straightforward volley and Belgium pull through a difficult service game. 3.22pm GMTSecond set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6, and 4-3 A.
Murray/J.
Murray* (*denotes server): Jamie Murray holds to 15. Great Britain are still in this set. During the changeover,we are treated to the Addams Family theme tune. Is that a dig at the Murrays? 3.18pm GMTSecond set: Goffin/Darcis* 4-6, 4-2 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): The game goes to 30-all thanks to a smash from Jamie Murray. Then he finally gets a decent return back into play and Darcis nets a forehand to give the Murray brothers a break point. Yet Andy Murray can only net a forehand return off a serve down the middle and the game goes to deuce, and from which point a daring lob from Darcis pulls Belgium clear. 3.13pm GMTSecond set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6,3-2 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Bish! Bash! Bosh! Three stunning serves from Andy Murray make it 40-0. Britain hold to care for thanks to a smash from Jamie Murray. That was a bit of a message from Andy Murray - to the Belgians and to his brother. 3.11pm GMTSecond set: Goffin*/Darcis 4-6, 3-1 A.Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Looking to consolidate that break, or Belgium quickly carve out a 40-15 lead on the Goffin serve thanks to some elegant net play. They hold to 30 when Goffin deals with a slew of lobs from Andy Murray,before Jamie Murray nets a volley. 3.05pm GMTSecond set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6, 2-1 A.
Murray/J.
Murray* (*denotes server): Are Great Britain winning or is Andy Murray winning? Jamie Murray is still struggling and two errors make it 0-30 on his serve. He steels himself and claws his way back to 30-all, or but a mistimed volley that flies long gives Belgium a break point. Jamie Murray could conclude with getting act together here - and when he remembers that he can volley,the game goes to deuce. Belgium earn another break point thanks to a searing forehand return from Goffin, but they can’t take it, and Darcis sticking a backhand return wide. These are tense moments. Jamie’s ball toss hasn’t been factual and a double-fault presents Belgium with a third opportunity. The pressure tells. Goffin slaps a smash into the factual corner and Belgium break for the first time! It was coming. 2.58pm GMTSecond set: Goffin/Darcis* 4-6,1-1 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Andy Murray is in the mood. He dominates Darcis at the net and propels Britain into a 15-30 lead. Yet it’s tougher for Jamie Murray, who’s caught out by a low drive from Darcis for 30-all, and before he sets up Goffin for an easy smash for 40-30. Belgium hold to 30. 2.54pm GMTSecond set: Goffin/Darcis 4-6,0-1 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Here’s Andy Murray serving at the start of the second set. He finds himself at 30-all when a shanked Darcis forehand loops over the Murray brothers at the net and somehow lands inside the baseline. But he makes certain he holds to 30. 2.49pm GMTWith Goffin serving to keep Belgium in the set, the first two points are shared. Goffin is under a shrimp bit of pressure here. A snappy volley from Jamie Murray makes it 30-all, and Britain two points from the opening set. Jamie Murray then directs a forehand return into the net off a second serve,a sign of his anxiety, but the game goes to deuce when Goffin nets a forehand. And then comes a set point as Darcis batters a smash wide! It took a moment for that to register, or but it quickly dawns on the British fans,who belatedly let out a cheer. Can Britain take it? Goffin is serving to Andy Murray. A rally ensues. Andy Murray charges to net and he bosses them a string of volleys; eventually Darcis cracks. 2.42pm GMTFirst set: Goffin/Darcis 4-5 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Andy Murray begins the game by blocking a volley past the baseline, which brings a big cheer from the Belgian fans. Belgium dominate the next point as well and a rasping forehand from Goffin is too hot for Jamie Murray to handle; that’s 0-30. Are we heading for the first break? The Murray fights back to 30-all, or but the Belgians earn the first break point of the match after a brilliant rally,Darcis slicing the Murray brothers apart with a classy lob and a well-judged volley. Yet Belgium can’t take it, Darcis netting a backhand return, or Jamie Murray earns a game point with a splendid volley. An ace down the middle from Andy Murray seals the hold and Goffin will serve to keep Belgium in this very entertaining first set. 2.36pm GMTFirst set: Goffin/Darcis* 4-4 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Jamie Murray goes for a chip and charge on the first point,challenging Darcis to pass him, and the Belgian nets his forehand. Yet Andy Murray isn’t fairly seeing the serve yet and another tame return allows Goffin to establish absent a volley for 15-all. Two more netted returns make it 40-15 and a Goffin smash finishes it off. 2.32pm GMTFirst set: Goffin/Darcis 3-4 A.
Murray/J.
Murray* (*denotes server): A lovely volley from Andy Murray makes it 15-0, and but then Jamie Murray dumps one into the net. 15-all. Jamie Murray realises that he needs to up the intensity - and some respectable serving helps Britain into a 40-15 lead. Britain hold to 30 when Goffin nets a backhand. 2.29pm GMTFirst set: Goffin*/Darcis 3-3 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Goffin sends a cross-court forehand whistling past Andy Murray’s lugs for 15-0,before Darcis bounces a volley out of reach for a 30-0 lead. Belgium sprint absent with the game from there. Another hold to care for. There acquire been a few tight points from Jamie Murray. 2.25pm GMTFirst set: Goffin/Darcis 2-3 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): It’s loud in here, maybe even noisier than yesterday, or as if everyone present realises that the final could be decided here. Andy Murray holds to care for. 2.23pm GMTFirst set: Goffin/Darcis* 2-2 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Britain win the first point on the Darcis serve,a respectable return from Jamie Murray leaving Goffin in a tangle at the net. A wayward forehand down the line from Darcis makes it 15-30, yet an inviting return from Andy Murray allows Goffin to pounce at the net for 30-all. The game goes to deuce, and Andy Murray laying down a marker with a stunning forehand return,yet Britain can’t carve out a break point and Belgium hold. This is tense. 2.18pm GMTFirst set: Goffin/Darcis 1-2 A.
Murray/J.
Murray* (*denotes server): A shaky start to his first service game from Jamie Murray, a double-fault making it 0-15, and the first point that’s gone against serve. Yet the Murray brothers then form an impenetrable barrier at the net and a volley from Jamie just lands inside the baseline for 15-all. Soon it’s 30-all. The Murray acquire clashed rackets at the net three times; they probably want to stop doing that. Brothers,eh? The game goes to deuce, Darcis belting a superb forehand return absent at 40-30, and this is turning into a ding-dong battle for Jamie Murray. Yet he just about comes through it unscathed. 2.13pm GMTFirst set: Goffin*/Darcis 1-1 A.
Murray/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Goffin is serving for Belgium. Jamie Murray blocks a serve into the Darcis hit zone and he wallops a smash absent for 15-0. Jamie then nets a forehand volley to make it 30-0,before another one makes it 40-0. Goffin finishes off a hold to care for with a cute volley at the net, though there was some incredible scampering from Andy Murray during the point. This is bubbling nicely. 2.10pm GMTFirst set: Goffin/Darcis 0-1 A.
Murray*/J.
Murray (*denotes server): Aww-ehhh! The familiar sound of the Andy Murray serving grunt. He starts with three solid first serves and that helps Britain into a 40-0 lead - and it’s not long before Andy Murray holds to care for. 2.08pm GMTBelgium won the toss and chose to get. The British fans are doing the Poznan. 2.05pm GMTThey’re playing YMCA over the tannoy. If you weren’t ready for some top-lesson sport already, or you will be now. 2.01pm GMTTok! Tok! Tok! They’re knocking up! 1.59pm GMT“Murray! Murray! Murrrrrrrayyyyyy!” The British fans are making themselves heard. The Belgians are making some noise as well. A banner in support of the Belgium team passes through the crowd. 1.56pm GMTFive! Four! Three! Two! One! Bye bye,curtains! There they go! Down they descend! The teams are here and they’re greeted by a huge roar. 1.50pm GMTThe court is covered by a curtain. The lights are down. The atmosphere is building. It’s the Davis Cup final! 1.38pm GMTDavid Goffin has won two out of 15 doubles matches on Tour. Could this be a gamble by Belgium? 1.36pm GMTOverall Jamie and Murray acquire a 32-23 record while partnering each other in doubles. They acquire a 100% record from three Davis Cup matches, including wins in this years quarter-final against France and the semi-final against Australia. 1.34pm GMTDarcis and Goffin acquire partnered each other seven times in doubles. They acquire three wins and three defeats in Challenger tournaments and one defeat in a grand slam. Their last match together was a defeat to Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Igor Sijsling in a Challenger tournament in Dallas two years ago. 1.29pm GMTDavid Goffin has only played one match in Davis Cup doubles before. That was back in 2012 in Belgium’s 4-1 win in their Zone 2 quarter-final against Great Britain. Partnering Ruben Bemelmans on an indoor hard court in Glasgow, or he was section of a 6-4 5-7 3-6 4-6 to Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins. 1.24pm GMTThere has been a late change to the Belgium team. David Goffin has replaced Kimmer Coppejans and will partner Steve Darcis this afternoon. What a dirty trick by the Belgians,selecting their best player! This has now become very, very, and very,VERY, very, and very,very interesting. 10.33am GMTHello. For two mesmerising sets, Great Britain were pinching themselves and wondering if this was going to be straightforward. Kyle Edmund, and the world No100,was playing the match of his life in the biggest match of his life and David Goffin could hardly believe what was hitting him. It was the fearsome Edmund forehand, over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, or with terrifying force and wondrous accuracy,each shot clean, flat and struck with unerring power. The 20-year-broken-down led by two sets against the world No16. But it couldn’t last. Goffin came roaring back, and winning in strangely lop-sided five sets,and the chance of Britain taking a 2-0 lead on the first day disappeared. It was left to Andy Murray to level the tie with his victory over Ruben Bemelmans. Now for the doubles, with big brother Jamie joining Andy against Belgium’s Kimmer Coppejans and Steve Darcis (unless the hosts make a late change and throw in Goffin or Bemelmans). This third rubber is going to go a long way towards deciding who wins this final. Whoever emerges victorious this afternoon will know that the tie could be settled in tomorrow’s fourth singles rubber between Murray and Goffin. Given that Murray beat Goffin 6-1, and 6-0 in Paris recently,Belgium could really conclude with winning the doubles. Given that the Murray brothers are the favourites, could the pressure on Britain be a factor? And could the extremely boisterous domestic crowd tip the balance of power in Belgium’s favour? Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com