Davis Cup Final Live Thread

[Henman Bill]

First topic message reminder :

Well at one stage it was in doubt due to terrorism, that seems to have faded away and looks like it's going ahead. The rest of this article courtesy of BBC:

Davis Cup final: Belgium v Great Britain
Venue: Flanders Expo, Ghent Dates: 27-29 November
BBC coverage: Watch on BBC television, the BBC Sport website, Connected TVs, tablets, mobiles and app and listen on Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra. Full details.
Kyle Edmund will make his Davis Cup debut in the final after he was selected as Britain's number two singles player to face Belgium.

Edmund, 20, will play David Goffin in the opening singles match at 12:30 GMT on Friday, followed by Andy Murray against Ruben Bemelmans.

Jamie Murray will join brother Andy for the doubles on Saturday.

Captain Leon Smith has retained James Ward for the reverse singles should the tie go to a fifth and final rubber.

The best-of-five tie takes place over three days at the Flanders Expo, with 13,000 spectators expected each day - including more than 1,000 British fans.

Great Britain are in the final for the first time since 1978 and are hoping to win their first Davis Cup since 1936, while Belgium have yet to win the competition.

Edmund will become only the sixth man in the 115-year history of the Davis Cup to make his debut in the final.

Davis Cup final draw
Day One David Goffin v Kyle Edmund; Ruben Bemelmans v Andy Murray
Day Two Kimmer Coppejans/Steve Darcis v Jamie Murray/Andy Murray
Day Three David Goffin v Andy Murray, Ruben Bemelmans v Kyle Edmund

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Yes, quite agree. Not sure Goffin will be able to withstand a protracted 4 or 5 setter and he will be all too aware of that.

Andy closes out the set and is looking good so far.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Goffin's serve continues to be under siege, but he finds a couple of first serves and clings on. Hard to see what Goffin can do to protect his 2nd serve. Could try taking some mustard off the 1st, but then Andy will probably start climbing into that too.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Murray gets a TV, but was it a crucial point? We will need to call HE to adjudicate.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Excellent hold from Andy. Goffin showing a bit more purpose in that game and had Murray scrambling. Doesn't have the weight of shot of Murray, so really needs to get up the court and take the ball early.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray gets a TV, but was it a crucial point? We will need to call HE to adjudicate.

That would be like calling Vladimir Putin to judge the US on human rights.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

A mixed bag in that game from Andy and Goffin hangs in for the hold. Andy seemingly rattled by his brother standing in the wrong place. He really is a sensitive lamb at times. Maybe he thought Jamie was jinxing by standing too close to the trophy.....

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Could do with a regulation hold here.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Andy duly delivers. Over to you David.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Good play by Goffin. Keeps his nose in front at 4-3. Andy simmering and needs to keep a lid on it.

[Guest]

Murray gets a TV, but was it a crucial point? We will need to call HE to adjudicate.

That would be like calling Vladimir Putin to judge the US on human rights.

Aren't Saudi Arabia in charge of Human Rights in the UN?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/saudi-arabia-reportedly-seeking-to-head-united-nations-human-rights-council-10267783.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3254073/UK-did-secret-Saudi-deal-human-rights-Cables-allege-Britain-approached-Gulf-State-vote-trade-support-s-election-council.html

[Jahu]

Andy getting this in 3 sets.

Good gift for a soon to be daddy

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray gets a TV, but was it a crucial point? We will need to call HE to adjudicate.

That would be like calling Vladimir Putin to judge the US on human rights.

Aren't Saudi Arabia in charge of Human Rights in the UN?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/saudi-arabia-reportedly-seeking-to-head-united-nations-human-rights-council-10267783.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3254073/UK-did-secret-Saudi-deal-human-rights-Cables-allege-Britain-approached-Gulf-State-vote-trade-support-s-election-council.html

I think you get my point Nore.

Like asking a United fan to be objective about a Liverpool match then.

[Jahu]

Holy baby, what a shot to close the second set.

[CaledonianCraig]

What an unbelievable winner dug out there from Murray and he leads 6-3 7-5.

[Guest]

That was a white flag if I ever saw one.

[JuliusHMarx]

Surely, now!

[Henman Bill]

I think the commentators are right here

the earlier point in a different game where he chased down a short ball to put a pass by Goffin..although he lost that game...it forced Goffin to go for a little bit more on that drop attempt where he hit the tape

[Guest]

Murray will get his knighthood sooner than expected. He has more or less single handedly got GB into the world group and won them the Davis Cup.

[Guest]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

What a compelling match this has been. Thought Goffin would go away fast in the 3rd, but no sign of that yet. Great stuff!

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Goffin playing for pride now, you would have thought. Surely he can't really believe that he can turn round in 5. We're already well over the 2 hour mark and it has been brutal throughout.

[CaledonianCraig]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

What's the highest ranked player that Murray's had to play? Goffin or Simon presumably. Still, take nothing away, it will be an incredible achievement if he can get over the line here.

[Guest]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

You are looking at it at the wrong angle.

Andy is not the best player on tour. Not having to face those who I'd rank better than him helps immensely and the team.

[Guest]

What's the highest ranked player that Murray's had to play? Goffin or Simon presumably. Still, take nothing away, it will be an incredible achievement if he can get over the line here.

[Aut0Gr4ph]

Just 1 game away now!

[Guest]

Two Slam titles (including Wimbledon), an Olympic Gold Medal, A Davis Cup - Lord Sir Andy Murray's resume is beginning to look mightily impressive.

[CaledonianCraig]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

You are looking at it at the wrong angle.

Andy is not the best player on tour. Not having to face those who I'd rank better than him helps immensely and the team.

Look at it realistically. Switzerland won last year with two slam winners in their singles line-up and they had the same this year and Serbia equally have a much stronger squad singles-wise than GB. If they were unable to see it through to this stage is that Murray or GB's look-out? Of course not and strength of squad-wise it makes it a better achievement as well considering the singles team has been made up of slam winner Murray and a player ranked 100+.

[Born Slippy]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

You are looking at it at the wrong angle.

Andy is not the best player on tour. Not having to face those who I'd rank better than him helps immensely and the team.

There is one player better than him. As Craig says, Switzerland, for all their gifts, probably wouldn't have won if Novak had focussed on the DC last year.

[Guest]

What a point

[Jahu]

omg omg what a way to finish.

Well done to Andy and all GB Team, well deserved.

Now go win some GS next year boy

[Aut0Gr4ph]

What a way to do it. Congrats to the GB team. A little part of Ghent will always be British now!

[temporary21]

Is that the best dc champ point ever?

[Jahu]

BS, So Novak, would be better then Fed & Stan?

Slippy, stop slippering and don't pollute the thread with Djoko

[Henman Bill]

want to see a replay of the last poinnt before turning if off

[Guest]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

You are looking at it at the wrong angle.

Andy is not the best player on tour. Not having to face those who I'd rank better than him helps immensely and the team.

Look at it realistically. Switzerland won last year with two slam winners in their singles line-up and they had the same this year and Serbia equally have a much stronger squad singles-wise than GB. If they were unable to see it through to this stage is that Murray or GB's look-out? Of course not and strength of squad-wise it makes it a better achievement as well considering the singles team has been made up of slam winner Murray and a player ranked 100+.

Eh?

Still missing the point. I am not comparing exploits and no I don't rank this higher than any other teams achievement in the DC.

The point I was making is that tournament opened up lovely Britain. It did Belgium too when they played Canada. Andy has had to put a monumental effort in none the less. However, being the best player left in the field when he knows that as does the field is a winner

[Guest]

The fact that Murray got GB into the World Group and basically single handedly won them the Davis Cup - after 79 years, I think this is his finest achievement comparable with his GB Wimbledon title.

[LuvSports!]

WAHOOOO!

[Guest]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

You are looking at it at the wrong angle.

Andy is not the best player on tour. Not having to face those who I'd rank better than him helps immensely and the team.

There is one player better than him. As Craig says, Switzerland, for all their gifts, probably wouldn't have won if Novak had focussed on the DC last year.

 
 

[CaledonianCraig]

Congratulations to Team GB.

They have come from the lowest reaches in recent years, battled through to the World Group and now rose to these heights to win the Davis Cup despite a team hardly bristling with world class talent throughout the team but boy does it have spirit.

Well done to the whole team.

[Haddie-nuff]

After watching what that win meant both to the players and the GB crowd who are those who say that this tournament is pointless that its not worth watching. Great win and something Andy will remember for the rest of his life I know Well done GB

[Guest]

 Team GB.

Murray an outstanding effort all season. I do wonder if the Bedene saga is sorted next year and Edmund progresses that Andy might be able to focus more on adding to the Slam tally.

[Guest]

The world has gone mad. Britain wins the Davis Cup, A Britain beats an all time great of heavyweight boxing, a Britain becomes the two time winner of the Tour de France, The British Men and Women's Gymnastic team win team medals in the World Championship, Britains beginning to break world records in the swimming.

[Born Slippy]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

You are looking at it at the wrong angle.

Andy is not the best player on tour. Not having to face those who I'd rank better than him helps immensely and the team.

There is one player better than him. As Craig says, Switzerland, for all their gifts, probably wouldn't have won if Novak had focussed on the DC last year.

 
 

True though but no one is going to try and demean Switzerland's achievement. To win the DC is a fabulous achievement and I don't really understand why anyone would try and focus on asterisking it. Leon Smith has got some incredible displays out of the other guys over the last few years. Hope he gets full credit for working magic.

[Guest]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

You are looking at it at the wrong angle.

Andy is not the best player on tour. Not having to face those who I'd rank better than him helps immensely and the team.

There is one player better than him. As Craig says, Switzerland, for all their gifts, probably wouldn't have won if Novak had focussed on the DC last year.

 
 

True though but no one is going to try and demean Switzerland's achievement. To win the DC is a fabulous achievement and I don't really understand why anyone would try and focus on asterisking it. Leon Smith has got some incredible displays out of the other guys over the last few years. Hope he gets full credit for working magic.

So your telling me that Djokovic alone would've won both singles rubbers and doubles against Federer/Wawrinka? 

No-one is asteriking anything.

[Guest]

At least bring out the brass band for the anthem!

[lags72]

A fantastic achievement and some real pride for British team tennis after countless years without the DC trophy.

We saw all of Andy's best qualities today - and indeed throughout the campaign.

Let's not forget other crucial, hard-earned points en route to the Final, notably James Ward v Isner.

[LuvSports!]

This moment is up there with this moment :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QKH1tcjwoI

[CaledonianCraig]

Though it has been handy not to have had Spain, Serbia and Switzerland in the mix. Hasn't made it easier for Andy though given that the ties really rest on his singles rubbers.

Was it any an easier run-in than Switzerland had last year? I'd say not and lets remember they were loaded with two slam winners in their singles line-up.

You are looking at it at the wrong angle.

Andy is not the best player on tour. Not having to face those who I'd rank better than him helps immensely and the team.

Look at it realistically. Switzerland won last year with two slam winners in their singles line-up and they had the same this year and Serbia equally have a much stronger squad singles-wise than GB. If they were unable to see it through to this stage is that Murray or GB's look-out? Of course not and strength of squad-wise it makes it a better achievement as well considering the singles team has been made up of slam winner Murray and a player ranked 100+.

Eh?

Still missing the point. I am not comparing exploits and no I don't rank this higher than any other teams achievement in the DC.

The point I was making is that tournament opened up lovely Britain. It did Belgium too when they played Canada. Andy has had to put a monumental effort in none the less. However, being the best player left in the field when he knows that as does the field is a winner

Of course there is a difference in achievement levels. Switzerland did it with a far stronger team at their disposal. I mean is it a better achievement that Man United won the FA Cup or say Wimbledon or Coventry City. And sorry but how can you say the draw opened up when GB has a weak team - they have played USA (stronger on ranking and paper), France (likewise) and Australia (probably likewise) and still beat them all. If Switzerland, Spain or Serbia weren't good enough to reach the final - TOUGH.

[Danny_1982]

Enjoy it team GB, probably going to be a long time before we see a British team holding this cup again!

Really hope Andy gets a boost from this. Novak went up a level after winning it for Serbia. It gave him a mental edge. Hope the same can happen for Murray as he still has not reached 12-13 performance levels in the big matches since coming back from his back injury.

But well done to the British team.

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