POUILLE BEATS DARCIS TO HAND FRANCE DAVIS CUP TITLE
France won their 10th Davis Cup title when Lucas Pouille crushed Steve Darcis 6-3 6-1 6-0 to give the hosts a 3-2 victory in the final against Belgium on Sunday.
Pouille was never threatened in the decisive rubber after David Goffin had given Belgium both their points with impressive displays in the singles.
Les Bleus, however, had more strength in depth, winning a singles match through Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday and Saturday’s doubles with Richard Gasquet and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
It is their first title since they beat Australia away in 2001 before three defeats in the final in 2002, 2010 and 2014.
Earlier, David Goffin never once lost his cool as he beat a nervy Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(5) 6-3 6-2 to put Belgium level at 2-2 with hosts France, sending the Davis Cup final into a decisive fifth match on Sunday.
The world number seven saved six break points in a thrilling opening set of the first reverse singles, before cantering to victory in a packed Pierre Mauroy stadium. The final encounter was set to feature local favourite Lucas Pouille against Steve Darcis, who has never lost in five decisive Davis Cup matches.
France, who have not lifted the trophy since 2001, are looking to clinch their 10th title while Belgium are seeking their maiden Davis Cup. Tsonga had won his first singles against Darcis after Goffin, high on self-confidence since he finished runner-up at the ATP Finals, had put Belgium ahead by beating Pouille on Friday. Richard Gasquet and PierreHugues Herbert defeated Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore on Saturday to give Les Bleus a 2-1 advantage.