Davis Cup
Coupe Davis : Goffin ramène la Belgique à égalité avec la France
EN DIRECT - Coupe Davis : suivez le 5e match décisif Pouille-Darcis point par point
Coupe Davis: Tsonga battu, la France doit jouer un dernier match décisif
Davis Cup: Goffin brings Belgium level with France
The scenario, expected, is at the height of a Davis Cup final . And the suspense remains full after the victory of David Goffin on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Sunday, Pierre-Mauroy stadium (7-6, 6-3, 6-2). The Belgian and puts his country - back to the wall after the French victory in double Saturday - tied with France (2-2).
Despite the pressure on his shoulders, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga returned immediately to the match. He knows it, his salvation will pass by his service, the most offensive weapon of his game. It allows him to shift in forehand and direct the exchange. Even more on hard surface, where his first ball knocks his opponents. From the beginning of the meeting, he connects aces and winning services. Opposite, David Goffin is powerless, despite his undeniable qualities of returner which he demonstrated on Friday against Lucas Pouille, who has never managed to overflow .
In the stands , the "Da-vid" respond to the "Tson-ga", in perfect symmetry of the score. At 4-3, the French enjoys a lack of aggressiveness in the net of his opponent and his passivity in the baseline to get four break points ... he fails to convert . Yet not very demonstrative, Goffin serves the fist, angry. Impervious to the pressure, it does not let itself be distracted and raises the tone in moments of tension. The 27,000 spectators, blown by the level of play of the two players, groan. Goffin saves a set ball at 5-6 - the sixth break point in the set. Stunned, Tsonga ends up cracking in the tie-break, facing a Goffin on air cushion (7-6).
On the heels of his titles in Shenzen and Tokyo, and his final at the Masters, the Belgian has taken a new dimension. "He plays the tennis of his life," acknowledged Lucas Pouille after his defeat. As in the first inning, the 7 th World displays an impressive composure at the slightest alarm on his serve. Tsonga, no doubt frustrated by so many missed opportunities, disperses and gives up his commitment to a double fault. David Goffin came off to lead 5-2 and finally finished the second run 6-3.
The scenario is repeated in the third set, where Tsonga stuck again in the service, quickly giving up his faceoff. On the bench, Yannick Noah, his captain, tries to calm his nerves and put him back in the game. Without success. Goffin immediately confirms his break before a disappointed Tsonga, who prefers to laugh . In the bays, the Belgian public takes over the tri-colored clan, stunned. Tsonga saves two double break balls ... before collapsing in the third, on a forehand volley. Goffin the metronome takes off (4-1).
At 40A at the next game, it's the misunderstanding on the court. Tsonga stops playing , thinking the ball out, but asking too late for the refereeing of the video. The referee gives the advantage to Belgium . Bronca general in the stands ... Definitely out of his match, the French bows dryly 2-6.
In the last and fifth cleaver game, the young Lucas Pouille will have a lot to do , carrying on his shoulders the weight of a whole nation. What's more, faced with the experienced Steve Darcis. The Belgian number two is simply undefeated in five decisive Davis Cup games.