Belgium and Oz in Davis Cup final

BELGIUM and France will contest the final of the Davis Cup after winning their semi-finals against Australia and Serbia last night..

The Belgians, who were beaten by Great Britain in the 2015 final and have never lifted the trophy, were 2-1 down heading into the final day but David Goffin’s victory over Nick Kyrgios was followed by Steve Darcis’ straight-sets success over Jordan Thompson in the deciding singles tie.

Like the Aussies, the French held a 2-1 advantage overnight and they got the crucial third win at the first time of asking as JoWilfried Tsonga saw off Dusan Lajovic despite dropping the opening set.

France last hosted the final in 2014, but were beaten by Switzerland and have lost their two other finals since they claimed the Davis Cup in 2001.

Australia were two sets awayfromreachingthefinal as Kyrgios claimed the first against Goffin in a tiebreak in Brussels but the 26-yearold rallied and claimed a 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 6-4 6-4 triumph.

Darcis then secured a 6-4 7-5 6-2 victory over Thompson,winningthematchwith an overhead shot which clipped the top of the net.

Over in Lille Tsonga started in unconvincing fashion as he dropped his first service game en route to a 6-2 success for Lajovic, currently the world No. 80.

However, Tsonga soon found his rhythm and won the final three sets, dropping just two points on his serve during the fourth set.

right-rear tyre made contact with Verstappen’s frontleft. The Finn was sent out of control and incredibly thudded into the side of his Ferrari team-mate.

As Raikkonen and Verstappen came to a dramatic stop at turn one - colliding Fernando Alonso - Vettel momentarily kept his Ferrari on the straight and narrow. But after sustaining significant damage to his car he lasted just three corners before losing control and crashing into the wall. He retired from the race.

Out of nowhere Hamilton led, and despite three safety cars, a damp track, and Ricciardo keeping the Englishman honest, that is how it would remain.