DAVIS CUP FINAL IN BELGIUM WILL BE ONE FOR THE TENNIS HISTORY BOOKS BY CHERYL SHRUM

Written by: Staff on 26th November 2015

DAVIS CUP FINAL IN BELGIUM WILL BE ONE FOR THE TENNIS HISTORY BOOKS BY CHERYL SHRUM

epa05042719 Leon Smith (L) , Andy Murray (2nd L) , Kyle Edmund (C) , James Ward and Jamie Murray (R) during the final draw the Davis Cup World Group between Belgium and Great Britain in Gent, Belgium, 26 November 2015. EPA/LAURENT DUBRULE |

It will be a historic weekend of tennis in Ghent when Britain faces off against Belgium in the Davis Cup finals. Not only will it be the first time in history that a Davis Cup tie has been played under such a heightened national security threat; it will mark the first time that Britain has been in a final since 1978 and for Belgium, their first since 1904. For Britain, it would their first win since 1936 and for Belgium; it would be their first win ever.

Britain, led by world No. 2 Andy Murray, has the obvious advantage. Murray, trying to downplay all the security threats and focus on tennis, could become the third player in history to complete a perfect 8-0 record in Davis Cup singles rubbers in a single year. If he were to win both his singles and the doubles rubber this weekend, Murray would be only the fourth man in World Group history to win 11 rubbers in a single Davis Cup year after McEnroe in 1983 (12-0), Michael Stich in 1993 (11-1) and Ivan Ljubicic in 1995 (11-1).

Standing in his way are Belgium’s David Goffin and Steve Darcis. Ranked No.16 in the world, Goffin last played Murray in the Paris Masters just a month ago, where he lost in straight sets in just under an hour. But this is Davis Cup and where Goffin plays his best tennis. He has won 11 of his past 13 singles rubbers in Davis Cup competition.

Steve Darcis (2ndL) , David Goffin (2nd R) , Kimmer Coppejans (R) , Johan Van Herck (C) and Ruben Bemelmans (R) of Belgium pose with the cup during the final draw the Davis Cup World Group between Belgium and Great Britain in Gent, Belgium, 26 November 2015. EPA/LAURENT DUBRULE

Darcis is best known for defeating Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in the first round in 2013. Once ranked as high as No. 44 in 2008, his career has been plagued with injuries. However, when you consider Darcis meteoric rise almost 100 ranking points earlier this year, combined with his history of winning decisive 5th rubbers, he has to be considered a threat.

Can he rise for Belgium this weekend? Odds certainly aren’t in his favor especially if Andy Murray has anything to say about it but hey, this is Davis Cup. The only thing that we can say with any certainty is that no matter what happens in Ghent, it will be a Davis Cup final for the history books.

Editors Note:(LJ) It turns out that Our “LEFTY” buddy @RubenBemelmans Is Playing Number 2 For The Belgians. He will face Andy Murray on Friday.

Ruben wore the 10sBalls_com patch in parts of 2011, 2012, 2013. Looks like steve will play in the doubles on Saturday. Ruben is a great friend of the site as our many of the Belgians. Ruben won the Los Angeles Open Doubles With his countryman Xavier Malisse as well as made finals with him in Indian Wells .

Editors Note : (JF) Cheryl wrote a great piece here. She might have mentioned that every tennis loving Belgian maybe cheering like Crazy for the home team. Just saying. It could be interesting.

Team of Belgium and Great Britain pose with ITF official during the final draw the Davis Cup World Group between Belgium and Great Britain in Gent, Belgium, 26 November 2015. EPA/LAURENT DUBRULE

Topics: Andy Murray, Belgium, David Goffin, Davis Cup Finals, Great Britain, Ruben Bemelmans, Sports, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

November 26, 2015 at 5:57 pm

-@DavisCup Final In #Belgium Will Be One For The #Tennis History Books by Cheryl Shrum
https://t.co/9xi3CwykOQ #DavisCupFinal #DavisCup
ProjTennisBB says:

November 26, 2015 at 11:21 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@DavisCup Final In #Belgium Will Be One For The #Tennis History Books by Cheryl Shrum
https://t.co/9xi3CwykOQ #DavisCupF…
dailyracquet says:

November 26, 2015 at 11:23 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@DavisCup Final In #Belgium Will Be One For The #Tennis History Books by Cheryl Shrum
https://t.co/9xi3CwykOQ #DavisCupF…