David Goffin (ATP 8), Steve Darcis (ATP 76), Ruben Bemelmans (ATP 106), Arthur De Greef (ATP 174) and Joris De Loore (ATP 279), as a reserve, form the Belgian team for the final of the Davis Cup. Coach Johan Van Herck made his selection Tuesday known.
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Belgium will play in the final of the landencompetitie against France. The duel takes place from 24 to 26 november in the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille. The surface is hardcourt (rebound ace).
The national team prepares the final for with a stageweek in Uccle. Van Herck will only at the last moment to decide who the final team in Lille. “I leave all options open”, said the coach, who is David Goffin (getting started on the Masters in London) to miss during the internship. “Arthur De Greef played perhaps a less good doubles match against Australia, but he has always been and is good in the group. I’ve never seen anything can be blamed for.”
Steve Darcis to cope with physical discomfort, but the latest news about ‘mister Davis Cup’ are positive. “In the morning, he works a physical training session and in the afternoon, he two hours on the job, like everyone else. It goes well with his elbow”, the insured Van Herck.
How fit will Goffin (yet)?
The big question is of course how to fit “leader” David Goffin, then it still will be. Currently fighting the Belgian number eight in the world after all, with the best of the best at the Masters. Goffin started in London with a stuntzege after “a tough match” against Rafael Nadal. “I am very proud that I am the first Belgian’m on the Finals and I am glad all those Belgian flags in the stands to see. But here ends the not, I do everything in my power to be here until the end, a good figure to keep hitting.”
For the writ of Goffin at the Masters had Van Herck only praising words. “It is a very good message for everyone. It gives confidence,” says the coach. “In addition, he stays in rhythm and does he rely on. I have no fear for fatigue. The fact that he trust the ropes, weighs more.”
Wednesday takes on Goffin in his second round match against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (ATP-6). Who won Monday, are also openingsmatch: 6-3, 5-7 and 7-5 against the Austrian Dominic Thiem (ATP-4).
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga leads the French team to
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (ATP 15), Lucas Pouille (ATP 18) and dubbelspecialisten Nicolas Mahut (ATP 103, number 6 in doubles) and Pierre-Hugues Herbert (ATP 80, number 13 in the double forms the French team. Richard Gasquet (ATP 31) and Julien Benneteau (ATP 57) are conceded. Coach Yannick Noah made his selection Tuesday known.
“Strong and motivated duo for the doubles”
Noah chooses against Belgium, so for the same names as in the previous encounter against Serbia. Tsonga and Pouille took the enkelspelen for their account, Mahut and Herber the double. “We have a solid and motivated duo for the doubles. They have not yet disappointed. Julien (Benneteau) is not far from the team, he has given us and to himself surprised,” referred Noah to the semi-finals that Benneteau recently reached the Masters 1,000 of Paris, where he was in the third round, Goffin knocked out 6-3, 6-3. “Julien is ready, if he should fall in.”
Gasquet had recent physical problems, but is also a viable alternative, as emphasized Noah. “If he succeeds in his training hours to work, then Richard quickly back on level. He is now a different player.”
Tuesday night gathers the French selection in Marcq-en-Baroeul for the start of the preparation.
Appointment with history
Belgium and France played already seven times against each other in the Davis Cup. The French lead with 4-3. The last meeting dates back to 2001.
Belgium won the prestigious landencompetitie in the mannentennis never but was the losing finalist in 2015 and 1904. In 2015, it was Britain’s Andy Murray in Ghent too strong. The first final played by Belgium in 1904 (against the British Isles). France is aiming for a tenth Davis Cup, the first since 2001. Eight times and ended the French as runner-up, for the last time in 2014.
On the way to the final eliminated Belgium in the Wereldgroep successively Germany (first round, 1-4 in Frankfurt), Italy (quarter-finals, 3-2 in Charleroi) and Australia (semi-finals, 3-2 in Brussels). France beat Japan (1-4 in Tokyo), Great Britain (4-1 in Rouen) and Serbia (3-1 at Lille).
The winner will follow on the roll of honour Argentina.
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