Goffin, Belgium Seeking First Davis Cup Title This Weekend In France

by Staff | November 23rd, 2017, 11:44 pm
  • 4 Comments

Fresh off a surprise final a week ago in London at the ATP Finals, David Goffin will lead his underdog Belgian team into Lille to face a deep French squad on an indoor hard court.

Belgium, runner-ups in 2015, seek their first ever Davis Cup title while France bid for a 10th and first since 2001.

Joining Goffin will be Steve Darcis in singles and in doubles Belgium will lean on Joris De Loore and Ruben Bemelmans.


Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille will anchor the French team in singles with Richard Gasquet partnering with Pierre Hugues Herbert in the doubles. Coach Yannick Noah opted for Gasquet over Herbert’s regular partner Nicolas Mahut.

Friends Goffin and Pouille will open the event.

“We’re friends and I’m sure we’ll be friends after the match as well,” Goffin said. “I’ve never beaten Lucas so I will try to find a solution to find my best tennis.

“I’m happy to start the first match again,” Goffin added. “I spoke with Steve beforehand and he preferred that I start and he played second. It won’t be easy, two years ago I played first in the final and I was tired. This time I will try to be a little more relaxed and play as good match as I can from the start.”

Tsonga is eager to do whatever it takes to win.

“If I have to play on all three days I’m ready to do it,” said Tsonga.

France has won four of seven meetings with Belgium, and their first since 2001, when they met in a World Group first round tie in Ghent which France won 5-0. Belgium’s last win against France came in 1997 – a 3-2 victory in another World Group first round clash in Ghent.

DAVIS CUP FINAL DRAW
RUBBER 1
Lucas POUILLE v David GOFFIN
RUBBER 2
Jo-Wilfried TSONGA v Steve DARCIS
RUBBER 3
Richard GASQUET/Pierre-Hugues HERBERT v Ruben BEMELMANS/Joris DE LOORE
RUBBER 4
Jo-Wilfried TSONGA v David GOFFIN
RUBBER 5
Lucas POUILLE v Steve DARCIS


You Might Like:
Andy Murray The Hero As Great Britain Wins The Davis Cup For First Time Since 1936
Goffin Heroics Can’t Stop France from Claiming 10th Davis Cup
Andy Murray Will Be Joined By Kyle Edmund In Singles For The Upcoming Davis Cup Finals
Kyrgios, Tsonga, Goffin Lead Davis Cup Semifinals This Weekend
Murray Leads Great Britain Into Davis Cup Final, Will Play Belgium In November

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

4 Comments for Goffin, Belgium Seeking First Davis Cup Title This Weekend In France

FedExpress Says:

“Fresh off a surprise semifinal a week ago in London at the ATP Finals, David Goffin will lead his underdog Belgian team into Lille to face a deep French squad on an indoor hard court.”

And against whom did Dimitrov play in the final?


gonzalowski Says:

maybe Goffin and Darcis should have played doubles too?


Humble Rafa Says:

It’s amazing that when given a chance to choke on the grandest of stages, the French would not practice their country’s number 1 trait of choking. It is another example that France is no longer the country it once was. Once you no longer practice your core principles, there is no future.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam