France-Belgium 2-2 in Davis Cup final after Goffin wins
LILLE, France (AP) – David Goffin kept alive Belgium’s hopes of winning its first Davis Cup title by beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-2 in the first reverse singles match on Sunday to level the final at 2-2.
Goffin, who also won his opening singles without dropping a set, delivered a superb performance to defeat France’s top player.
Belgium’s Steve Darcis will be up against Lucas Pouille in the final match.
Tsonga served extremely well in the first set and had six chances to break Goffin, but his Belgian rival weathered some blistering groundstrokes and showed nerves of steel on important points.
Goffin saved a set point with a forehand winner at 6-5 and sealed the tiebreaker on his first chance, with a backhand winner down the line.
The seventh-ranked Goffin broke for a 4-2 lead in the second set after Tsonga double faulted, and broke twice in the third set after pressuring the Frenchman into many mistakes.
Belgium’s David Goffin clenches his fist as he wins the second set against France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during their Davis Cup final single match at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille, northern France, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Belgium’s David Goffin volleys the ball to France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during their Davis Cup final single match at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille, northern France, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is being treated after losing the first set against Belgium’s David Goffin during their Davis Cup final single match at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille, northern France, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga serves the ball to Belgium’s David Goffin during their Davis Cup final single match at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille, northern France, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
