DAVIS CUP FINAL GOES INTO DECIDER

Lille (France), Nov. 26: Belgium’s David Goffin swept aside Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to level the Davis Cup final at two points apiece and force a decisive fifth rubber. Richard Gasquet and PierreHugues Herbert put France, seeking their first title since 2001, in pole position after Saturday’s doubles victory, but Goffin quietened a passionate French crowd in Lille to keep Belgium in the hunt for a maiden crown. “It’s been an incredible weekend for me, I’ve been able to play at a very high level,” Goffin told French television. “I gave everything I could and it paid off. My work on the court is finished, but my job now is to get behind the team and help support Steve (Darcis),” he added. Belgium’s Davis Cup specialist Darcis will meet 18th-ranked Frenchman Lucas Pouille in Sunday’s second reverse singles with the title on the line. Goffin, who outclassed Pouille in Friday’s opening rubber, saved a set point while serving at 5-6, as Tsonga was left to rue his inability to capitalise on any of six break points in a marathon first set. World No. 7 Goffin, the runner-up to Grigor Dimitrov at the season-ending ATP Finals in London last weekend, snatched a 75-minute opening set with a blistering backhand return in the tie-break. Tsonga, who brought France level in Friday’s second singles with a crushing win over Darcis, then surrendered his serve in the second set with a costly double fault as Goffin surged 4-2 ahead before seizing a two-set lead. — AFP