David Goffin of Belgium fought off a great start by Kyle Edmund of Great Britain to win the important first rubber of the Davis Cup Final in five sets 3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0. This was the young Brit’s first Davis Cup appearance. He was the first player since 2003 to make his debut appearance in a Final.
Edmund, ranked 100, dominated the first two sets dictating play with powerful groundstrokes that set up good court position for winners or to force errors by Goffin, ranked 16. It took five game points and saving two breakpoints for the twenty-year-old Brit to take the first game that lasted twelve minutes. Edmund rolled for the next four games to go up 5-0. The Brit had a set point on Goffin’s serve in the sixth game but the Belgian pressured Edmund and held serve. Goffin was able to win the next two games with improved level of play. However, Edmund closed out the set with an ace in the ninth game. Goffin’s low first serve percentage of 44 put his service games under pressure – he won only 36% of his second service points. Edmund had thirteen winners, ten on his forehand wing, and only three unforced errors compared to seven winners and four unforced errors for Goffin.
After going down 0-30 to start the second, Goffin won the first game with well-placed serves. The rest of the 27 minute set belonged to Edmund. Goffin was not able to handle the Brit’s firepower. The Belgian’s first serve percentage dipped even lower to 38% (winning 63% of those points), while Edmund won 100% of his first service points. Edmund did not face a breakpoint in the set while converting three of four opportunities. The Brit had just one unforced error in the set compared to nine for Goffin.
Before the match, Goffin said that he would try to use his experience to win the match over the “young and really talented” Edmund. This played out in the next three sets. The Brit started the third set holding serve despite his first double fault of the match. Goffin won the next four games as Edmund’s groundstrokes deserted him. Edmund got one break back in the sixth game on the strength of four Goffin unforced errors. The Belgian got the break right back and held to win the set. Goffin started spinning in serves and increased his first serve percentage to 60%. The error count mounted for Edmund with 12 forced and unforced errors.
Goffin continued to attack Edmund’s forehand. The Brit was won the first game in the fourth set, but that was his last winning game of the rubber. He appeared fatigued and possibly was experiencing cramps or nerves which hampered his movement. Goffin improved hos serving and controlled most of the remaining points in the match. The Belgian did not face a breakpoint in the final two sets while forcing Edmund to commit twenty-five errors.
This is a huge point for Belgium with Andy Murray in the wings. After the match, Goffin said it was not easy to turn the match around, but he was really happy with this win. He was thrilled with the crowd and the atmosphere. This is the first Davis Cup Final for Belgium since 1904. They have never won a Davis Cup trophy. Great Britain has not won a Davis Cup since 1936, with Fred Perry and Bunny Austin leading the team. They have nine titles to their credit.
