The title, France’ first Davis Cup win in nearly two decades, delighted a packed stadium.
It didn’t start well for the French on Friday, as David Goffin, fresh from his ATP Finals defeat in London, gave Belgium an early lead by defeating Lucas Pouille 7-5, 6-3, 6-1.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga soon got France level again with straight sets victory over Steve Darcis, with the home player running out the victor 6-3,6-2,6-1.
Going into Saturday’s doubles, French captain, Yannick Noah surprised everyone by dropping double’s specialists Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut for Richard Gasquet and Pierre-Hughes Herbert. The gamble paid off as they defeated Ruben Bemelmans and Joris De Loore 6-1, 3-6, 7-6. 6-4 to give France the lead in the tie.
Goffin, knew he had to defeat Tsonga to extend the final into the final match, and he did, winning his 2nd rubber of the tie – 7-6, 6-3, 6-2, to give Belgium a chance of going one better than they did in 2015, when they lost out to Britain in the final.
But, roared on by a capacity of 27,000, Lucas Pouille didn’t disappoint the support as he defeated Steve Darcis 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 to give France a Davis Cup win not seen since 2001.
Pouille told BBC after “I am so proud of my team we really wanted this trophy. After 16 years, we finally got it, I’m very happy.”
The ATP and WTA 2018 season kicks off officially on January 1st, where a certain Serena Williams will make her comeback in China.