Davis Cup World Group Final Recap
France fulfilled a long cherished dream when it won its 10th David Cup tennis title this November during the final for the World Group, beating Belgium. Team Captain Yannick Noah had a clear vision and was able to fulfill all plans for his team for the tournament. Let’s review and recap what happened this year at the Davis Cup that saw France take home yet another title in the World Group category since their previous win in 2001 where they beat Australia.
France and Belgium battled it out over the 24th, 25th and 26th of November this year to determine who would take home the much coveted title in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas. Prior to this exciting event, teams have been fighting for their spot in the November finals since first round held in February 2017. Following a knock-out format, matches are held throughout the year in one of the competing countries’ tennis courts until only two teams are left standing. In 2017, Belgium and France made their way to the final matches, where they battled it out on France’s home turf in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy tennis court.
Team captain Yannick Noah did a fantastic job leading his team to victory for the third time as captain, inspiring his men as they went along this year. Part of his success was that he didn’t shy away from making big choices, like splitting up former World No1 doubles pairing – a decision he admittedly had sweated over a little. Rather than pairing Nicolas Mahut with Pierre-Hughes Herbert, he dropped Mahut in favor of Richard Gasquet. A gutsy decision that paid off as Gasquet and Herbert defeated the Belgium pair Joris De Loore and Ruben Bemelmans. Noah has praised his team and their ability to put up an amazing fight against Belgium along the way.
Belgium Player David Goffin thoroughly impressed Noah as Goffin won his single matches against French players Lucas Pouille and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Goffin had initially given the Belgium team a lead of 1-0 after the first match of the tournament against Pouille. As Tsonga then defeated Darcis and the French double team made up of players Gasquet and Herbert then won their doubles match, France was in the lead as Goffin prepared to take up Tsonga. Although Tsonga brought his a-game, he was no match for Goffin and so Goffin managed to level the playing fields by beating Tsonga.
Going into the final match where Lucas Pouille and Steve Darcis would take on each other, tensions were high. However, as the match started, it was clear that Pouille dominated, as he was quickly in a 3-0 lead in the first set. Pouille managed to keep his advantage over Darcis, who was struggling throughout his sets. Pouille brought it home, beating Darcis in 6-3, 6-1 and 6-0.