Belgium fights back to defeat Australia
BRUSSELS: David Goffin and Steve Darcis staged a thrilling comeback yesterday to take Belgium into its second Davis Cup final in three years with a 32 victory over Australia.
World No 12 Goffin, playing some of the best tennis of his career, defeated world No 20 Nick Kyrgios 67 (47), 64, 64, 64 on the clay, weathering some blistering serves from the Australian that neared the 230kmh mark.
‘‘It’s incredible . . . It was the match of my career in the Davis Cup so far,’’ an elated Goffin said after levelling the match 22.
Darcis, a Davis Cup hero in Belgium, clinched the victory with a 64, 75, 62 win over late replacement Jordan Thompson to put his side into November’s final against France, which completed a 31 win over Serbia earlier on Sunday.
‘‘It’s a big week for me but it was an unbelievable win for David. I’ve never seen him play that good,’’ Darcis, who has won four out of his five Davis Cup singles in the run to the final this year, said.
France won its place in the final when JoWilfried Tsonga beat Dusan Lajovic 26, 62, 76 (75), 62 to give the home side a 31 victory over Serbia yesterday.
Playing on clay at Lille’s Pierre Mauroy stadium in front of an 18,000 crowd, France did not have it easy in its semifinal against a team deprived of former world No 1 Novak Djokovic.
France was the heavy favourite against Serbia and it delivered despite unexpectedly losing the first point when Lucas Pouille lost to Lajovic on Saturday.
French No 1 Tsonga, however, played solid tennis against Laslo Djere and Lajovic to give Les Bleus two points while grand slam champions Nicolas Mahut and PierreHugues Herbert won their doubles against Filip Krajinovic and Nenad Zimonjic. — Reuters