Great Britain has claimed its first Davis Cup by BNP Paribas win in almost 80 years thanks to the heroics of brothers Jamie and Andy Murray at the final in Ghent, Belgium. World number two, and younger sibling, Andy was once again instrumental in the 3-1 victory on foreign soil. Andy can add this accolade to that of Wimbledon, US Open and Olympic champion, as well as bragging rights to having capped off 2015 undefeated in all 11 of his Davis Cup matches in both singles and doubles, only the second player in history to win as many Davis Cup World Group matches in one season.
It was an extraordinary display from the Scot, who claimed to play some of his best tennis when representing his country. Although, Belgium struck the first blow with David Goffin’s win over Kyle Edmund on day one, Murray sealed the home team’s fate with three consecutive victories.
The first also came on day one, as he dispatched 108-ranked Ruben Bemelmans in three straight sets. This was followed on day two with a four set victory with his brother over Steve Darcis and late substitute David Goffin in the doubles. Finally, in his third match in as many days, Murray dealt with 16th ranked David Goffin, as well as a rumbustious crowd, in three relatively comfortable sets, 6-3 7-5 6-3.
Goffin put up a spirited fight in front of his home crowd in the second set, staying with Murray throughout until the Brit secured the vital break at 5-5 before serving out the set. As Goffin broke for a 2-0 lead in the third set, the crowd began to sense hope that he could repeat his heroics from the opening day, when he recovered from two sets down for the first time in his career to beat Edmund. Murray, however, quashed any idea of a comeback by winning six of the last seven games. On match point, he secured the victory by turning defence into attack with a stunning cross-court lob winner.
Elated, Murray fell to the ground and was immediately mobbed by the rest of the team. He described the victory as “amazing” and that he “never thought we would have the opportunity to do this.” On his feet again and stained in red dust, he was graciously congratulated by his opponent as well as Belgian coach Johan Van Herck.
“Every player has played a part,” said British captain Leon Smith, highlighting the huge team effort and lauded “a lot of people who don’t often get a lot of credit,” from the “medical team, the other coaches and the stringer.”
Fireworks, confetti and pop music provided the fanfare while Team GB held aloft the Davis Cup trophy for the first time since 1936. Despite the prior terror alert in Belgium and some anxious few days leading up to the event, the final went off without a hitch and the 1,300 travelling British fans partied well into the night.
With the win, Great Britain moved ahead of France and into third place on the all-time Davis Cup winners list, with 10 titles. Only Australia (28) and the USA (32) have won more titles in the 102-year history of the competition. The tie in Belgium marked a fourth successive year in which two European nations contested the final.