Goffin aims to ride wave to Davis Cup glory

Beaten but exhilarated, Belgium’s David Goffin believes his exceptional run at the ATP Finals has strengthened him for the last great challenge of his breakthrough season — helping his country win the Davis Cup for the first time.

After his three-set defeat by Grigor Dimitrov in Sunday’s final of the prestigious season-ending tournament, Goffin had no time for regrets as he looked forward to the decider in the men’s global team championship against France in Lille.

The hosts are favourites, but Goffin, who will grab the chance to recharge batteries run down by his heroics at the O2 Arena, will on current form be the best player on show at the three-day final, which begins on Friday.

Better player

He also reckons he has been transformed into a harder, better performer by the exertions of his remarkable week in London, during which he became only the sixth man to beat Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the same event.

“It was a special week for me, with a lot of emotions, a lot of fatigue of course. Now I’m feeling tired, but I’ll be ready for the final,” said the 26-year-old, who moved up to a career-high seventh in the world rankings on Monday.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille lead the French team along with Nicolas Mahut and PierreHugues Herbert, while Goffin’s team mates are Steve Darcis, Ruben Bemelmans and Arthur De Greef.

Federer, for one, believes France’s strength in depth makes them favourites.