Argentina heap Davis Cup pressure on David Goffin

Argentina are heaping the pressure on Belgium and their greatest asset David Goffin ahead of their Davis Cup World Group semi-final starting Friday.

Goffin, ranked 15th in the world, is trying to lead the Brussels hosts into the final of the men's team event for the second time - and first in 111 years.

Going head-to-head in the curtain-raiser at Forest National will be Goffin and Federico Delbonis, the latter putting all the heat on the 24-year-old Goffin.

"He has all the pressure. He is number 15 in the world, he is playing in his town. I have a little bit of pressure because I want to win," Delbonis said via daviscup.com.

It will be the first career meeting between the two, with Delbonis entering the tie with just two hard-court match wins in 2015.

In contrast, Goffin has 13 - six in the recent North American swing alone.

Leading the line for Argentina, rankings wise, is world number 39 Leonardo Mayer - however he looked to shirk the pressure of expectation from his 28-year-old shoulders before his Friday singles rubber against Steve Darcis.

"I don't think I am really number one, the team is actually number one," Mayer said.

"For me, Davis Cup is very important. It's a priority. We are very motivated to win."

Goffin echoed Mayer's team-first attitude, and did not shy away from Belgium's historic final bid - the last time they were in the tournament's decider, the competition involved only three nations.

"You aren't playing for yourself," Goffin said.

"You are playing for your country and the team on the side of the court. Sometimes it's a pressure, but for me it's a good pressure.

"The last time was in 1904 so we are going to give everything to play another final. It would be historic for us."

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