The moment Andy Murray has pursued with such fanatical zeal finally arrived, unforgettably, on Sunday when an outrageous lob arced over Belgium’s David Goffin to seal Britain’s first Davis Cup title for 79 years.
Fittingly for a player who has almost single-handedly guided his nation to the title this year, the indefatigable Murray ended Goffin’s inspired resistance with a moment of sheer brilliance few could conjure to complete a 6-3 7-5 6-3 victory.
It gave Britain a winning 3-1 lead and started a party that hundreds of visiting fans decked out in union flags and Scottish saltires were to keep going long into the night in medieval Ghent.
Photo: AFP
Murray, who put in a triple-shift over the weekend and looked exhausted at the end of a tense three-hour contest, collapsed on to the clay court before being swamped by his teammates, including brother, Jamie, and captain Leon Smith.
Sportingly, he clambered to his feet to console Goffin, who had gallantly clung on to the hope of keeping alive Belgium’s chances of winning the title for the first time.
Andy Murray then saluted the “Barmy Army,” who roared his every winner over a weekend that rubber-stamped his place in the chronicles of British sporting greatness, if any had doubted it after he ended a 77-year wait for a men’s champion at Wimbledon in 2013, a year after winning the Olympics and the US Open.
“I probably have not been as emotional as that after a match that I have won,” Andy Murray said. “It is incredible that we managed to win this competition. I did not know that would ever be possible. It is great.”
World No. 2 Andy Murray, whose return to the team in 2013 accelerated Britain’s rapid rise from the depths that begun when Smith took charge in 2010, has won 11 live rubbers in this year’s run, matching Ivan Ljubicic’s total for Croatia in 2005.
He has won all eight singles he played, while teaming up three times with his brother for crucial doubles wins.
“Really impressive from @andy_murray. One of the best Davis Cup years in history,” former US Open champion and world No. 1 Andy Roddick said on Twitter.
Andy Murray is the first player since American Pete Sampras in 1995 to win three live rubbers in a final.
There was a sense of inevitability about the outcome on Sunday, with Belgium trailing 2-1 and needing to win both reverse singles. However, Goffin, roared on by a soccer-style crowd inside the claustrophobic arena, forced Andy Murray to play his best tennis.
Goffin squandered a break point at 2-2 in the opening set and his opponent then pounced, scorching a backhand winner off a weak second serve to take a lead he never relinquished.
There was no chance of Goffin fading though. He played some sensational tennis to stay with Andy Murray in the second set, but a tired forehand into the net in 11th game gave Andy Murray a break and the Scot struck a stupendous forehand winner to seal the set.
Andy Murray wobbled briefly when he dropped serve early in the third set, but he responded to move 5-3 ahead before providing the most spectacular of climaxes to a memorable year.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely