Davis Cup 2015: David Goffin hopeful Belgium can continue ‘lucky’ run

Belgium’s best player admits his team have been fortunate this year

David Goffin, in black, is hoping his country's good fortune continues (Getty Images)

If good fortune has anything to do with the outcome of this Davis Cup final, British supporters might have to prepare for disappointment. Even David Goffin, Belgium’s best player, admits his team have been “a little bit lucky” this year.

Not only have Goffin and company had home advantage in every tie – a sequence that will be extended as they make their first appearance in the final for 111 years – but each of their opponents has also fielded a seriously weakened team. In the first round Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka chose not to play for Switzerland, in the quarter-finals Canada had to make do without Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil, and in the semi-finals Argentina were without their long-term absentee, Juan Martin del Potro.

“We were a little bit lucky, but that’s a part of tennis,” Goffin said. “We were always fit and healthy and ready to play for our country. When we saw the draw [against Switzerland] we knew it was either going to be a good draw or a very bad draw. It all depended on their side. We knew there was a small possibility that Roger and Stan would not play.

“Of course the Davis Cup for Belgium is really important. I think all the players – me, Steve Darcis and all the team – have always played in every tie. It’s always special to play for the team and for the country.”

While their opponents this weekend also enjoyed home advantage in their first three ties, Leon Smith’s team had a tough draw, with Britain becoming the first country for 82 years to defeat the three other Grand Slam nations in consecutive ties.

Goffin, aged 24, is unbeaten in Davis Cup this year and is particularly comfortable on clay. He has enjoyed the best season of his career, stands at No 16 in the world rankings and is perhaps just as crucial to Belgium’s chances as Andy Murray is to Britain’s. However, he has failed to win a set against Murray in their two meetings and took only one game off the Scot in a 53-minute thrashing at the Paris Masters three weeks ago.

“It was just a day off for me,” Goffin said. “I didn’t play really well. Andy was really aggressive. He played an unbelievable match there. But it’s different conditions here. It’s a completely different match, another surface. I just have to forget that match.”

Goffin made his breakthrough at the French Open three years ago, when he won three matches in qualifying and another three in the main draw before losing to Federer, though he took a set off his boyhood hero. After that initial surge he dropped out of the world’s top 100 in 2013 but sped back up the rankings last year by winning titles in Kitzbühel and Metz.

If you ignore his facial stubble, Goffin gives the impression that he has just bunked off school to come to the tennis. At 5ft 11in and weighing less than 11 stone he is small by modern tennis standards, but makes up for any lack of natural power with his superb ball-striking and speed around the court.

If it has taken time for Goffin to win the recognition he deserves at home, he believes that is down to the fact that Belgians became accustomed to Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters winning Grand Slam titles and topping the world rankings. “Last year that was not enough for Belgian people,” Goffin said ruefully.