Kyle Edmund beaten by David Goffin in Davis Cup final opener
Sunday 29 November 2015 13:43, UK
Kyle Edmund suffered a heartbreaking five-set defeat to David Goffin as Great Britain lost the opening singles match against Belgium in the Davis Cup final.
The 20-year-old, ranked 100 in the world and making his Davis Cup debut, looked on course for one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history when he raced into a two-set lead, but Goffin gradually wore down Edmund's resistance to complete a 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-0 win.
A dream start appeared to be in Great Britain's grasp as Edmund swiftly dismissed concerns that he would freeze on the big stage, however, it was Belgium who forged a 1-0 lead in the tie following a battling response from their No 1 player in Ghent.
"I was nervous. Naturally I was just trying to block out the occasion and just play tennis," admitted Edmund.
"It couldn't have started better but it turned. I was struggling physically in the fourth set. A pity my body didn't hold out the way I wanted it to.
"I can take a lot of positives out of it. At the end I was very upset emotionally. It's something I need to learn from.
"I'm disappointed I couldn't do it for the team but it's one of the most important experiences I've had I think."
Goffin tried to instill early doubt by attacking the youngster's opening service game, but Edmund displayed his stomach for the fight, fending off two break points for a determined hold of serve.
Edmund had shed any lingering nerves with that first game on the board and he attacked his opponent's serve with youthful vigour, claiming his first break after a rash return from Goffin.
A recent winner of a clay event in Argentina, Edmund looked at home on the red dirt which had been requested by the hosts and broke a stunned Goffin twice more to open a 5-0 lead.
Stung by the humiliating scoreline, Goffin clawed back three games, but could not prevent Edmund from sealing the opener with a thumping ace.
Even Leon Smith's most hopeful plans could not have followed this blueprint as Edmund gave his GB captain more cause for optimism as he broke again for a 2-1 lead in the second set.
A double fault from Goffin handed over another break, signalling the depth of his struggles, and Edmund exploited another tame service game to pull into a two-set lead.
But Davis Cup wins are rarely delivered with such ease and Goffin finally made his stand in the third set as Edmund flung his forehand wide to concede a break.
The Brit stubbornly broke back but would surrender his serve again as Goffin reduced the deficit to the relief of the home crowd.
Goffin was gradually showing the class that has seen him win two ATP career titles and he took full advantage of the increasing Edmund errors, with a wild backhand handing over another break, and the youngster trailed 4-1 after he netted a further return.
Edmund could not stall Goffin's march after he had levelled the match and the home favourite raced through the fifth set to seal an impressive comeback.
"It was not easy. Kyle had good intentions and was really heavy with every forehand," Goffin said.
"It was hard for me to find my timing. I knew if Kyle was playing like this, bravo, but if there was a small chance I had to take it.
"He played really heavy and I was surprised."
