Goffin puts Belgium level with Argentina in Davis Cup

“I think whoever won the doubles was the (Davis Cup) victor”, said Tomic, reflecting on Saturday s doubles rubber win by Andy Murray and brother Jamie over Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth which gave the home side a 2-1 lead in the tie.

Belgium will make its first appearance in the Davis Cup Final in 111 years after rallying past Argentina on Sunday in Brussels.

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.

Earlier, Lukas Rosol slammed 11 aces to defeat India’s No.1 player Yuki Bhambri 6-2, 6-1, 7-5 in just under two hours.

Goffin defeated Federico Delbonis 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the first singles match before Mayer used his big serve to come out on top against Darcis 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-3.

Belgium’s David Goffin reacts after winning a point during the…

Schwartzman was plugged in for Leonardo Mayer, Argentina’s No. 1, who was believed to be worn out after playing almost eight hours on Friday and Saturday.

That opening stage loss forced Switzerland into a play-off but with Federer and Wawrinka back in the line-up, they opened up a 2-0 lead over the Netherlands in Geneva on Friday.

The hosts face Argentina in Brussels with world number 15 Goffin comfortably the highest-ranked player on show at the Forest National.

“I fight and I fight and this time I had the win”, said Darcis.

Belgium are playing in the last four for the first time since 1999 and will host the final in November should they progress.

Further down the Davis Cup “pyramid” Rafael Nadal plays for Spain in their Europe/Africa Group I tie in Denmark. The Belgian was broken again to close the set, as the Argentine evened the match at a set each with a 6-2 win.

This year, with Juan Martin del Potro out due to injury and its former Davis Cup hero David Nalbandian long retired, the team has mounted an improbable run.

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