Davis Cup Final Live Thread

by Henman Bill Thu 26 Nov 2015, 6:58 pm

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

by erictheblueuk Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:08 pm

If Edmund and Murray win today, can we rest Murray from the doubles?

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:08 pm

Henman Bill wrote:commentators on bbc2 getting a little overexcited and ahead of themselves

True, and it was ever thus on the Beeb.

But if you've ever listened to partisan commentary on the likes of Spanish or Italian TV, I think you would consider the BBC guys fairly restrained ......... Wink

by Aut0Gr4ph Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:10 pm

That giant Goffin head is really freaking me out.

by Aut0Gr4ph Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:13 pm

erictheblueuk wrote:If Edmund and Murray win today, can we rest Murray from the doubles?

No way! Barring injury, whatever happens today, GB should still go all out for the doubles. Best rest for Murray would be not having to play on Sunday.

by erictheblueuk Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:17 pm

Aut0Gr4ph wrote:
erictheblueuk wrote:If Edmund and Murray win today, can we rest Murray from the doubles?
No way! Barring injury, whatever happens today, GB should still go all out for the doubles. Best rest for Murray would be not having to play on Sunday.

Looking at their team I think we can win the doubles without him, and if we didn't there's no way a rested Andy Murray would lose on Sunday

by temporary21 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:18 pm

A lull. An inevitability really I couldn't beleive Godwin would stay that down

by Henman Bill Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:22 pm

now you guys are getting ahead of yourselves. let's see if Edmund wins or not first

by Aut0Gr4ph Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:23 pm

temporary21 wrote:A lull. An inevitability really I couldn't beleive Godwin would stay that down

Godwin!? Looks like you've been watching too much Last Kingdom.

by ListenUp Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:24 pm

It would have to be James (or Kyle) in the doubles as Dom isn't in the 4 now, so that's not going to happen.

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:27 pm

Goffin will take this third and then the task for Edmund is still a mighty one.

Only one set from two needed - but the massive gap in ranking & experience (not to mention home advantage) remains a real factor.

by Aut0Gr4ph Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:38 pm

Goffin has definitely warmed into the match now, so it's going to be a lot harder for Kyle. Still on his racquet though.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:41 pm

Kyle Edmund of all the recent male British juniors who have won junior grand slams, competed in junior slam finals was the one most likely to do well at senior level. Anyone remember Oliver Golding. He won the US boys US Open in 2011. He seems to have given up sometime in 2014 and is no longer in the sport.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:47 pm

Goffin wins this 3-2.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:47 pm

Aut0Gr4ph wrote:
temporary21 wrote:A lull. An inevitability really I couldn't beleive Godwin would stay that down
Godwin!? Looks like you've been watching too much Last Kingdom.

Godwin's Rule?

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:52 pm

LiamB wrote:Goffin wins this 3-2.

Kyle is tiring. Five set clay court tennis is gruelling. I will be surprised if Murray is able to do three matches on consecutive days.

by Danny_1982 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:56 pm

Mental fatigue? Physical fatigue? Both? Who knows, but Kyle will do very well to win this now.

by Henman Bill Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:57 pm

Just like it wasn't over at 2-0 when Edmund looked favourite, it isn't over now at 2-2.

1-set shootout, anything can happen.

Cannot afford an early break down though, needs to come out firing and try and break as well.

by Henman Bill Fri 27 Nov 2015, 2:59 pm

he does look tired but tired and mental are related. has to FOCUS

by Henman Bill Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:01 pm

I'm hoping this is a question of tanking and saving energty for the 5th. would like to see him come out firing

by kingraf Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:03 pm

Henman Bill wrote:he does look tired but tired and mental are related. has to FOCUS

Pretty sure Murray has that trademarked. You cant just go around saying it

by temporary21 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:14 pm

No Edmunds gone. He's at least evened it up a bit for muzz. But it's all on murray as we expected

by Jahu Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:16 pm

Did Goffin joke a little here and wants to look good before home public?

Loosing first 2 sets now taking it in 5.

by Aut0Gr4ph Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:16 pm

Has to be all-out attack now from Kyle. No chance he can grind this out.

by YvonneT Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:20 pm

Is this all a ploy by the Belgians to delay keep Murray out on court later this evening and give him less recovery time? Wink

In all seriousness, although he started very badly, I don't think this has been bad for Goffin - he started with a lot of nerves, but has got them out of his system and it has not been a long match at all. I would expect him to play much better on Sunday.

by Aut0Gr4ph Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:22 pm

The jig is up. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. Looks like Kyle needs to toughen up a bit on the physical side. He faded away quite rapidly, but Goffin also improved greatly.

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:24 pm

No shame at all in Kyle losing this and taking it to five is way better than anyone could realistically have expected of him.

Just a pity that he couldn't have kept things more competitive in the decider.

by Aut0Gr4ph Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:26 pm

I think you're right Yvonne. He gets a rest day tomorrow, but will be battle-hardened for Sunday. Anyone who thinks the Murray-Goffin match is a gimme is off their rocker, particularly as it will be 3 clay 5 setters in a row for Murray. I think there's a good chance it will go to a 5th rubber.

by Henman Bill Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:29 pm

Well done to Kyle for the performance, but he couldn't keep the level off. No chance of winning this set, Goffin playing really well and outclassing him.

A question mark on Edmund for the reverse singles though now, do we trust him mentally in another tough 5-setter? Harsh to say it but has to be a consideration.

by Henman Bill Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:31 pm

2 3/4 hours, not too bad that's about half of a Djokovic-Nadal Australian open final

Still at least Edmund has tired him out a bit.

by YvonneT Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:32 pm

Nore Staat wrote:I will be surprised if Murray is able to do three matches on consecutive days.

Why? Don't plenty players play doubles and singles at Roland Garros? And Federer played 3 matches in the DC final last year. I'm not saying Murray won't lose but if he does, it's not because he's trying to do the impossible.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:32 pm

There is a very big difference between three set tennis and five set tennis as Federer has said in the past. Kyle did well to win the second set.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:32 pm

LiamB wrote:Goffin wins this 3-2.

Blatantly obvious

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:35 pm

YvonneT wrote:
Nore Staat wrote:I will be surprised if Murray is able to do three matches on consecutive days.
Why? Don't plenty players play doubles and singles at Roland Garros? And Federer played 3 matches in the DC final last year. I'm not saying Murray won't lose but if he does, it's not because he's trying to do the impossible.

We know Murray has back issues and on clay it will be exacerbated. He said in the semi-final his back was playing up. But for Britain to win this it is Andy Murray or nothing. Shame about the antics of the LTA in stringing out the decision on Aljaz Bedene to well over a year.

by Aut0Gr4ph Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:36 pm

Henman Bill wrote:Well done to Kyle for the performance, but he couldn't keep the level off. No chance of winning this set, Goffin playing really well and outclassing him.

A question mark on Edmund for the reverse singles though now, do we trust him mentally in another tough 5-setter? Harsh to say it but has to be a consideration.

If it goes to 5, I think it's almost guaranteed that James will get the nod.

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:37 pm

Still very much GB's trophy to lose (as it was before any play began) but if Murray has just one below-par performance from his three matches, then who knows .......

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:38 pm

Henman Bill wrote:2 3/4 hours, not too bad that's about half of a Djokovic-Nadal Australian open final

Still at least Edmund has tired him out a bit.

The final three sets were 6-2 6-1 6-0. So rather than tiring out Goffin, Kyle has made Goffin match sharp - the perfect preparation for his next match in two days time against Murray.

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 3:44 pm

Nore Staat wrote:There is a very big difference between three set tennis and five set tennis as Federer has said in the past

.........................

Who ??

Never 'eard of him.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 4:50 pm

lags72 wrote:
Nore Staat wrote:There is a very big difference between three set tennis and five set tennis as Federer has said in the past

.........................

Who ??

Never 'eard of him.

You have to go back to the weak era to find him.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 4:50 pm

Andy Murray wins the first set and still looks healthy. Fingers crossed.

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 5:24 pm

Nore Staat wrote:
lags72 wrote:
Nore Staat wrote:There is a very big difference between three set tennis and five set tennis as Federer has said in the past

.........................

Who ??

Never 'eard of him.
You have to go back to the weak era to find him.

Eventually managed to trace him. Google to the rescue again !

Apparently he was World No.1 and Wimbledon Champ in 2012.

I presume that's the era you mean ....?

Anyway, back to DC action ..... Murray looking good

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 5:37 pm

Kyle Edmunds lost the last twelve games of his match (after winning the first game in set four). He needed to slow the match down. It lasted less than 3 hours.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 5:40 pm

The Murray - Goffin match should be tasty in two days time.

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 5:44 pm

Well Kyle himself has just been saying how it all ran away from him very, very quickly. Seems a really level-headed guy.

But hey, it's all fantastic experience for him. Not exactly easy to play your first DC singles in the first rubber of a Final tie, against a Top 20 opponent, away from home.

by Haddie-nuff Fri 27 Nov 2015, 5:48 pm

Murray gets a warning Rolling Eyes

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 6:00 pm

Murray being made to work somewhat harder than he was expecting .......

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 6:04 pm

Not often that you see a referee coming on to court in DC.

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 6:05 pm

That's the advantage of playing at "home". They chose a smallish venue with low ceiling so the noise levels are amplified.

by Haddie-nuff Fri 27 Nov 2015, 6:06 pm

Murray gets too easily distracted
He is after all the world No.2. he has to rise above it and concentrate on the job in hand.
Not the time for tantrums

by Guest Fri 27 Nov 2015, 6:06 pm

It wouldn't surprise me if Murray explodes takes his racket out and hits Leon Smith over the head with it.

And there is the predictable break back.

by lags72 Fri 27 Nov 2015, 6:07 pm

At least Andy is well & truly fired up now !

by Sponsored content