Andy Murray wins Davis Cup singles rubber to level final
Saturday 28 November 2015 15:10, UK
Andy Murray overcame a spirited Ruben Bemelmans in straight sets to level up the Davis Cup final 1-1.
Great Britain had earlier fallen 1-0 down to Belgium in Ghent on Friday when David Goffin came from two sets down to beat a valiant Kyle Edmund in five sets.
But Murray won 6-3 6-2 7-5 against the World No 108 to bring the final level heading into Saturday's doubles.
Murray broke early in the first set to go 2-0 up - Bemelmans dropping serve with successive double faults.
But the Belgian came roaring back to level the contest at 2-2. He broke serve with a delightful drop shot before holding.
Murray then awoke from his brief slumber. After holding with little effort, the world No 2 soared to three break points. After surrendering the first two opportunities, including a worrying tumble, Murray dusted himself down to take a second break before seeing out the first set 6-3.
Bemelmans needed to come out firing in the second set. But after moving 30-0 up, he conceded three successive points - the last an inch-perfect lob from Murray. Bemelmans defended one break point, but not a second - Murray moving ahead with a sweetly-struck backhand.
It was a carnival atmosphere inside the Flanders Expo, with the umpire at one point having to tell the stadium PA to 'stop the music please'.
Murray was certainly in full swing, securing a double break (5-2) in the second set with a beautifully-guided backhand winner before taking it 6-2.
At 1-1 in the third, the crowd witnessed both the rally and shot of the day at once. The pair engaged in a duel at close quarters before Murray unceremoniously brought it to an end with a flicked angled winner. Despite bringing up a break point, Bemelmans managed to hold (1-2).
There were worrying moments for Murray when he received a penalty point for an audible obscenity before slipping 4-2 behind.
Bemelmans even moved to set point on the Murray serve at 5-4, but his forehand return was hit long. That was as close as it got, as Murray eventually broke once again to wrap up a straight-sets win.
Attention now turns to tomorrow's doubles, where Andy will once again team up with brother Jamie against Kimmer Coppejans and Steve Darcis. Action from 2pm.
