David Goffin was by far the perfect participant of the Davis Cup ultimate however his workforce mate Steve Darcis scolded himself for being “appalling” as Belgium missed out on a maiden title, struggling a Three-2 defeat to hosts France on Sunday.
The world quantity seven Goffin, who entered the tie excessive on confidence after ending runner-up on the ATP Finals, gained each his singles in awe-inspiring style in opposition to Lucas Pouille and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
However Belgium misplaced Saturday’s pivotal doubles match, wherein Goffin didn’t play, whereas Darcis proved the weak hyperlink, being trounced in each his singles rubbers whereas profitable solely 10 video games in six units.
The world quantity 76 was defeated 6-Three 6-2 6-1 by French primary Tsonga on Friday and demolished 6-Three 6-1 6-Zero within the deciding rubber by Pouille on Sunday.
“I’m appalled by my efficiency,” mentioned the skilled 33-year-old Darcis.
Being outplayed by Tsonga was no disgrace for Darcis, however for a person who had by no means misplaced a deciding match within the Davis Cup earlier than, the beating he acquired from Pouille, who had by no means earlier than performed a decisive rubber, was much less anticipated.
“I’ve been spanked twice even when I attempted my finest,” he mentioned.
No one within the workforce, nonetheless, would blame Darcis, who earned Belgium 4 factors within the marketing campaign, together with two memorable victories in opposition to Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Philipp Kohlschreiber within the first spherical.
“I’m pleased with my complete workforce and I’m certain that we’ll win the Davis Cup collectively at some point,” mentioned workforce captain Johan Van Herck, after Belgium once more failed to interrupt their Davis Cup duck following losses within the 1904 and 2015 finals.
Regardless of the plain disappointment, Goffin mentioned there have been some positives to take from the ultimate.
“We’re all disenchanted when the workforce loses. It’s regular after such an exquisite yr, it’s laborious to complete like this,” he mentioned.
“However there are quite a lot of positives to take into the longer term.”