Davis Cup previews and picks: Murray vs. Goffin, Edmund vs. Bemelmans

Andy Murray will have a chance to clinch the Davis Cup title for Great Britain when he takes the court against David Goffin on Sunday in Belgium. If Goffin pulls off an upset, the trophy will all come down to Kyle Edmund vs. Ruben Bemelmans.

Andy Murray (GBR) vs. David Goffin (BEL)

Murray and Goffin will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they clash in the fourth rubber of the Davis Cup final between Great Britain and Belgium on Sunday afternoon. Both of their previous encounters have been dominated by Murray. The Scot cruised 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 at Wimbledon in 2014 and 6-1, 6-0 earlier this month on the indoor hard courts of Paris.

For the most part both men were already focused on Davis Cup when they most recently collided at the Paris Masters. Murray still had the World Tour Finals on his schedule, but he practiced on clay the week prior to the London festivities and thoroughly underwhelmed at the O2 while getting eliminated prior the semifinals. The world No. 2 won his Friday singles rubber 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 over Ruben Bemelmans. Goffin preceded that match by overcoming Kyle Edmund in a surprising five-setter. The world No. 16 came out tight but recovered to storm past the underdog Brit 3-6, 1-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0. Goffin will make this far more competitive than he has been in the past against Murray, as he is more motivated, playing on a slower surface, and will enjoy home-court advantage. In the end, however, the discrepancy in serve will be too much and Murray will have too much firepower for Goffin. Count on Murray clinching the Brits’ first Davis Cup title since 1936.

Pick: Murray in 4

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Kyle Edmund (GBR) vs. Ruben Bemelmans (BEL)

Should Goffin stun the tennis world and set up a live fifth rubber, Edmund and Bemelmans would face each other for the first time in their careers amidst the grandest of occasions. Both players got the day off from doubles action on Saturday after losing their respective openers. Edmund put a serious scare into Goffin and has to be proud of his effort despite fading fast in sets three through five. Bemelmans also held up well but simply got outclassed by a far superior opponent in Murray.

Edmund registers right at No. 100 in the world and is likely to gain direct entry into the 2016 Australian Open. The 20-year-old, however, is extremely short on big-match experience. He is 1-5 at the ATP level this season and a horrendous 2-13 for his entire career. Bemelmans, on the other hand, is 27 years old and has played 48 career ATP-level matches–winning 14. The lefty made an unexpected run to the third round of the U.S. Open this summer. If somehow this rubber is live, Bemelmans should use his experience and the home crowd to get the best of his younger adversary.

Pick (if rubber is live): Bemelmans in 4

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