France Beats Belgium 3-2 to Win 10th Davis Cup Title
(November 26, 2017) Lucas Pouille ended France’s 16-year Davis Cup title drought in Lille, France on Sunday when he beat Belgium’s Steve Darcis 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 to clinch the cup in the fifth and deciding rubber. The victory ended France’s losing streak in three Davis Cup finals (2002, 2010 and 2014), and gave them their 10th title, tying them with Great Britain for third place overall behind the United States with 32 and Australia with 28.
In the first match of the day, reverse singles, David Goffin sent the tie into a fifth rubber for Belgium, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-2.
“There are no words needed,” said the 23-year-old Pouille after the win in his on the court interview by Davis Cup TV. “Just look at the atmosphere and the emotion… I’m just so proud of my team. We really wanted this trophy and finally we got it after 16 years. I’m very happy.”
“Just so emotional right now,” Pouille continued. “I’m very happy and to play in front of this crowd, my family and my friends, I’m feeling from another world.”
“To have Lucas in his hometown, winning the last game, Davis Cup. Playing the way he played, that is so beautiful,” said French Captain and Hall of Famer Yannick Noah. “This is when his career is really going to start.”
More to follow…
A Champions’ Marseillaise pic.twitter.com/d5cHd8Feot
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 26, 2017
