The Davis Cup semi-finals are here, but a last-minute swap for Australia will see John Millman debut against Belgium’s top ranked player and world No.12 David Goffin. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the first rubber from 10pm (AEST).
Brussels will be the scene for this semi-final tie, with the hosts picking clay as the surface. Australia have won just a single tie on the red stuff in the last decade and will be up against it to do so here.
A good start will be imperative, but on paper, this looks like a mismatch. Thanasi Kokkinakis was originally listed as a team member for the Australian’s, with it being unclear whether he or Jordan Thompson would play singles.
Captain Lleyton Hewitt sprung a surprise an hour before the draw was released though, swapping Kokkinakis out for Millman, who will now be tasked with playing singles.
Even though Millman has been in strong form, making a third-round run at the US Open and by all reports hitting the ball well in training, it becomes even more surprising given clay is Millman’s worst surface.
Nonetheless, Millman can be counted on to give his all for the nation. He has had to battle injuries over the last 24 months, meaning he only plays grand slams on the back of protected ranking spots. His recent run at Flushing Meadows moved him up to 180 in the world.
While Millman is consistent, he doesn’t have the weapons on the ground or the defence at the baseline to go with a player at the calibre of Goffin.
Belgium’s top ranked player himself wasn’t in the greatest of form at the final grand slam of the year. He took four and five sets to get over Julien Benneteau and Guido Pella in the first two rounds, before passing an injured Gael Monfils.
He was then knocked out in the fourth round by youngster Andrey Rublev. It followed a poor return from injury, which caused Goffin to miss Wimbledon.
Goffin is incredibly good on clay though, with a third-round exit at the French Open this year only caused by his injury. He could have gone deep into the tournament at Roland Garros, and holds a nearly 70 per cent winning percentage on the surface.
The pair have never met before this meeting.
Prediction
The first rubber always brings added pressure with it, as does a debut for Millman. Away from his home fans though, he may be able to open up and hit freely. This is down to whether Goffin can rise to the challenge.
If Belgium are going to win the tie, you feel Goffin needs to win this one, and he will.
Goffin in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the first rubber in this Davis Cup tie from 10pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right, that's going to wrap up our coverage of this first match with Belgium leading 1-0. They were expected to be there, but it won't ease the pressure on Nick Kyrgios, who is up next. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. We will be starting over on Kyrgios vs Steve Darcis shortly. You can catch the call right here. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, BELGIUM David Goffin finally gets the hosts off to a 1-0 lead. Great match that. 3 hours and 32 minutes, and Goffin is going to be absolutely exhausted heading into Sunday. It was the tie Belgium had to win, and they did, but there are concerns. Took two balls catching lines to finish it off there for Goffin. Millman with a massive effort, but Goffin was the better player. He won the key points, but made more than 70 unforced errors. Pressure now on Nick Kyrgios to keep Australia in this thing. David Goffin 6 6 6 7 John Millman 7 4 3 5
Scott Pryde
Expert
Millman returns, then gets a running backhand in, but it's short and Goffin with the volleyed winner through the open court. Another match point now for Belgium. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - AD John Millman 7 4 3 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's a huge first serve. Out wide and Millman can't return on the backhand. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - deuce (2) John Millman 7 4 3 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Millman! He has a break point now. How did he get that return over? It was short, and Goffin has the court, but sent the forehand long. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - John Millman 7 4 3 5 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Millman survives! This match continues. He somehow got the return in, then defended and defended some more with Goffin throwing a backhand wide off the net. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - deuce (1) John Millman 7 4 3 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve down the middle, and it's pulled him out of trouble so many times. Millman returns long. Match point for Belgium. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - 40 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bad, bad miss from Goffin. Short return of serve and Goffin was there for the big forehand, but he dragged it down into the net. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - 30 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Deep return of serve here from Millman, and he is ran off the court here, going too hard at the forehand back across the body and sending it wide. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - 30 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault again from the Belgian. The second is still down the middle but Millman returns well and then settles into the rally before playing a corner forehand, then one back in behind. Goffin can't return. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - 15 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Goffin starts with a fault. The second is at the body and returned with a slow backhand. Millman then sends a ball long. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - 15 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Goffin breaks! Fault on the first. The second is returned with a backhand before Millman tries to hit a forehand on an angle, misses the line and Belgium are one game away from a 1-0 lead. Goffin to serve for the match. David Goffin 6 6 6 6 - John Millman 7 4 3 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, deep return and Millman puts a forehand into the net. Break point for Goffin right now. David Goffin 6 6 6 5 - 40 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Millman. The second is at the body and returned with a backhand. Goffin with the running of this point though and Millman eventually has to slide at one which he can't get to clear the net. David Goffin 6 6 6 5 - 30 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's a shocking miss from Goffin. Great defence again from Millman and Goffin had the easy forehand, but flattened it into the net. David Goffin 6 6 6 5 - 15 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve and it's returned long by Goffin. David Goffin 6 6 6 5 - 15 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fantastic from Goffin. Defensive blocked return, then another before he gets inside the baseline and plays a lovely drop shot. Millman really missed a forehand there - hit it badly. David Goffin 6 6 6 5 - 15 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Goffin. Millman then defends well before the pace of the point changes and he misses a backhand down the line. David Goffin 6 6 6 5 - John Millman 7 4 3 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
ACE! Catches the centre service line. David Goffin 6 6 6 4 - 40 John Millman 7 4 3 5 - 15