With the world group semi-final tie between Belgium and Australia tied at one apiece, doubles could be the deciding factor as Ruben Bemelmans and Arthur De Greef take on John Peers and Jordan Thompson. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the third rubber from 11pm (AEST).
If there’s been a more important doubles match for Australia in the past 14 years, I’d like to hear about it. An away tie for a spot in a home Davis Cup final – it doesn’t get much bigger than that.
The tie feels like it hinges on doubles after the singles matches yesterday, which saw David Goffin beat John Millman in a physical four-setter, before Nick Kyrgios came back from two sets to one down to beat Steve Darcis in five.
With reverse singles tomorrow, coming back from 2-1 down is going to be a tough ask.
Both teams will field new combinations for the match, although Belgium were originally listed to be the same. While Ruben Bemelmans will play his third Davis Cup doubles match this year, he will be joined by Arthur De Greef.
De Greef was a late addition after Joris De Loore had to withdraw from the tie. There was speculation either David Goffin or Steve Darcis would play, but given both spent so much time on court yesterday and must back up tomorrow, that now appears unlikely.
Bemelmans has been involved in one win and one loss this year at Davis Cup level, beating Germany in the first round before he and De Loore went down to Italy’s combination of Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi in five sets.
De Greef has no great experience playing doubles, and is ranked outside the top 900 in the world, which could leave him up against it in this tie.
That equation only gets tougher for Belgium when they see John Peers at the other end of the court. Joined by Sam Groth over the last two years, Peers has carried doubles for Australia.
He is the second best doubles player in the world and despite losing to the USA combination of Jack Sock and Steve Johnson in the quarter-final, Thompson will provide a much better foil.
Thompson may be making his doubles debut at Davis Cup level, but he has all the skills for a great doubles game. Brilliant court movement, a wonderful volley and a big serve. His reflexes at the net are fantastic, and on clay with the slower points, that’s going to come into its own.
He has already won the Brisbane International in doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis this year and then made a strong run at Wimbledon.
Prediction
On paper, Australia should win this. It’s never easy away from home though. Expect the crowd to keep Belgium in it, but Australia to skip away down the stretch.
Australia in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this all-important doubles match from 11pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Tough call but I'd put Thompson in. He was getting awesome kick on his serve tonight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yep - pretty much. Thommo or Millman if we get to a fifth rubber Conks?
Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll just about do it this morning on The Roar for our live coverage of the Davis Cup as Australia won the doubles and claimed a 2-1 lead over Belgium. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be back at 10pm (AEST) for the third day to see if Australia can book their first final spot in 14 years. Join me then. Bye for now.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
John Fitzgerald summed it up. That was a B-Grade doubles performancs by Belgium. They never looked like being a threat. Thommo and Peers were solid and that's all they needed to be.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Can. Not. Wait.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right, Australia lead the tie 2-1. Tomorrow, it's Nick Kyrgios up first, taking on David Goffin. If Kyrgios wins that rubber, Australia are through to the final. Should he lose, then it'll be down to John Millman - although I have a suspicion Jordan Thompson will be subbed in - to take on Steve Darcis in a winner take all fifth rubber.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Bring on Goffin vs Kyrgios!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, AUSTRALIA That was all a little bit too easy for the Aussies. Belgium return serve into the net and that was a woeful performance right there. Shut out in the third set. Australia might have been expected to win, but not in this manner. Straight sets, 96 minutes and wow. Australia lead the tie 2-1 and will take all the momentum into tomorrow. Belgium 3 4 0 Australia 6 6 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Belgium keep one in play then. Both Australian's to the net and Bemelmans smacks the forehand between them. BEL 3 4 0 - 15 AUS 6 6 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve and De Greef returns the forehand long. Three match points. BEL 3 4 0 - 0 AUS 6 6 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Peers serving for the match and he races through the first few points. BEL 3 4 0 - 0 AUS 6 6 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Australia have a triple break. One game away! Cracking return of serve from Peers. The Belgian's can't do anything here, being blown off the court and Australia are a game away. BEL 3 4 0 - AUS 6 6 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thompson wit some good forehands, then he comes to the net, plays a volley off the body and De Greef finds the net. BEL 3 4 0 - AUS 6 6 4 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
De Greef has overruled a call there. It was called a fault, he overruled and turned it back to deuce. So an ACE goes in the book rather than a replay point. That's rubbish umpiring. Sorry. BEL 3 4 0 - deuce (2) AUS 6 6 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Brilliant stuff at the net from Peers. Poor return of serve and Peers gets the racquet up there, hitting past De Greef at the net. BEL 3 4 0 - AUS 6 6 4 - AD
Scott Pryde
Expert
Peers now puts a forehand long. Not a bad serve from De Greef that one. BEL 3 4 0 - deuce (1) AUS 6 6 4 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Poor second serve from Bemelmans and Thompson cracks the forehand away. BEL 3 4 0 - 30 AUS 6 6 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Peers returns serve into the net with a forehand now. BEL 3 4 0 - 30 AUS 6 6 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
After this morning's 6am finish... Bloody oath.