DAVIS CUP TENNIS REPORT – DAVID GOFFIN WINS & NICK KYRGIOS WINS BELGIUM VS. AUSTRALIA DAVIS CUP TIE EVEN AT 1-1 • DOUBLES TOMORROW

Written by: Staff on 15th September 2017

DAVIS CUP TENNIS REPORT - DAVID GOFFIN WINS & NICK KYRGIOS WINS BELGIUM VS. AUSTRALIA DAVIS CUP TIE EVEN AT 1-1 • DOUBLES TOMORROW

epa06207396 Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios reacts after winning the second single match of the Davis Cup World Group semifinal between Belgium and Australia, in Brussels, Belgium, 15 September 2017. EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ |

By Ricky Dimon

The big boys took care of business on the first day of Davis Cup semifinal action in Brussels, Belgium. David Goffin prevailed for the host nation before Nick Kyrgios delivered a crucial victory for Australia, thus making the tie 1-1 heading into Saturday’s doubles rubber.

Goffin, by far the highest-ranked man for his country, got a stern test from John Millman but ultimately survived 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 in three hours and 29 minutes.

“It was such a big fight,” Goffin reflected. “Before the match I expected a big fight like this. John is such a big fighter. He’s really solid, really strong physically. I had to fight really hard on every point because he never does any mistakes.

“I gave everything. I put my heart on the court and that made the difference to finish the match.”

“Losses when you play for yourself I take pretty hard,” the 185th-ranked Millman explained. “When you play for your country probably even more so. I left it all out there. David makes you play for every point. David is crucial to his team. He’s the leader, he’s the No. 1 player. I wanted to win but I also wanted to make it as physical as possible.”

Australia’s No. 1 player almost saw his team put on the brink of defeat going into the doubles tilt, but Kyrgios had other ideas. The world No. 20 raised his level when it mattered most and overcame Steve Darcis 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-2.

“It was incredibly tough,” said Kyrgios, who crushed 20 aces without double-faulting. “I knew it was going to be tough, especially on this very slow clay court. But I’ve done everything right. I made it my objective this week to get a win for Australia. I’m just glad I got my team a win today. Hopefully the boys can get it done in doubles tomorrow.”

In more surprising fashion, the France vs. Serbia semifinal is also tied 1-1. With home-court advantage against a Sebian side missing Novak Djokovic, the Frenchmen are considerable favorites. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga got the job done against Laslo Djere in the second rubber, but that was preceded by Dusan Lajovic’s 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(5) upset of Lucas Pouille.