AIRLINK 74.60 Decreased By ▼ -0.65 (-0.86%)
BOP 5.14 Increased By ▲ 0.03 (0.59%)
CNERGY 4.50 Decreased By ▼ -0.10 (-2.17%)
DFML 33.00 Increased By ▲ 0.47 (1.44%)
DGKC 88.90 Decreased By ▼ -1.45 (-1.6%)
FCCL 22.55 Decreased By ▼ -0.43 (-1.87%)
FFBL 32.70 Decreased By ▼ -0.87 (-2.59%)
FFL 9.84 Decreased By ▼ -0.20 (-1.99%)
GGL 10.88 Decreased By ▼ -0.17 (-1.54%)
HBL 115.31 Increased By ▲ 0.41 (0.36%)
HUBC 136.63 Decreased By ▼ -0.71 (-0.52%)
HUMNL 9.97 Increased By ▲ 0.44 (4.62%)
KEL 4.63 Decreased By ▼ -0.03 (-0.64%)
KOSM 4.70 No Change ▼ 0.00 (0%)
MLCF 39.70 Decreased By ▼ -0.84 (-2.07%)
OGDC 138.96 Decreased By ▼ -0.79 (-0.57%)
PAEL 26.89 Decreased By ▼ -0.76 (-2.75%)
PIAA 25.15 Increased By ▲ 0.75 (3.07%)
PIBTL 6.84 Decreased By ▼ -0.08 (-1.16%)
PPL 122.74 Decreased By ▼ -2.56 (-2.04%)
PRL 27.01 Decreased By ▼ -0.54 (-1.96%)
PTC 14.00 Decreased By ▼ -0.15 (-1.06%)
SEARL 59.47 Decreased By ▼ -2.38 (-3.85%)
SNGP 71.15 Decreased By ▼ -1.83 (-2.51%)
SSGC 10.44 Decreased By ▼ -0.15 (-1.42%)
TELE 8.65 Decreased By ▼ -0.13 (-1.48%)
TPLP 11.51 Decreased By ▼ -0.22 (-1.88%)
TRG 65.13 Decreased By ▼ -1.47 (-2.21%)
UNITY 25.80 Increased By ▲ 0.65 (2.58%)
WTL 1.41 Decreased By ▼ -0.03 (-2.08%)
BR100 7,819 Increased By 16.2 (0.21%)
BR30 25,577 Decreased By -238.9 (-0.93%)
KSE100 74,664 Increased By 132.8 (0.18%)
KSE30 24,072 Increased By 117.1 (0.49%)

imageGHENT: Andy Murray ticked off one of the three boxes he needs to fill to win Britain's first Davis Cup since 1936 and now he needs the help of older brother Jamie.

The two Scots will once again join forces in Ghent on Saturday in the doubles -- more often than not the key rubber in Davis Cup ties.

Of the last 15 Davis Cup finals, 11 have gone to the team that won the doubles and in the Murray brothers, the British have a trump card they think they can play against Belgium.

"I believe in myself. I believe in me and Jamie as a doubles team, as well," said Andy after he defeated Ruben Bemelmans in straight sets to level the final at 1-1 after Friday's opening singles.

David Goffin had earlier edged British newcomer Kyle Edmund in five sets, clawing his way back from two sets down.

The British script has long been for Murray to win both his singles with the doubles sandwiched between those. Goffin will await him in the first of Sunday's reverse singles.

"Goffin's a top-quality player when he plays well. He's ranked 16 in the world, plays well on the clay. I'm aware that will be a very tough match to win," said Murray.

"In the doubles, Davis Cup is always tough, never easy, just because of the way doubles is played.

"I believe we can win the tie, obviously, otherwise there would be no point in us being there. But it's going to be tough, for sure."

The Murrays -- Andy at 28 is one year younger than Jamie -- seldom play together on the ATP Tour as Andy concentrates on his singles career.

But they know each other's game inside out from their childhood days and form a formidable pairing in the Davis Cup.

This year already they have scored vital wins over France and Australia en route to the final, and their contribution on Saturday could once again be crucial.

Murray though counters that it is not a case of do-or-die on Saturday for either side.

"I don't think it's as important as in some of the ties. I believe if we lost the doubles, we could win two singles on Sunday," he said.

"Kyle could have won today. If he was to play at that level against (Steve) Darcis, that's not an easy match for Darcis.

"The fifth point, the fifth rubber in a Davis Cup Final is Darcis or James (Ward) or Kyle, whoever plays that match, will never have experienced anything like that before.

"So it's not a gimme. Both teams are capable of winning all of the points here. I did say that before the tie started. Today's matches I think proved that."

Whilst the Murray brothers look certain to start the doubles on Saturday, doubts shroud the Belgian selection.

Announced to play are old hand Darcis and youngster Kimmer Coppejans, but all the signs were that captain Johan Van Herck will ask his number one Goffin to join Darcis.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2015

Comments

Comments are closed.