Belgium and Britain reach Davis Cup final

The unlikeliest protagonists will contest the Davis Cup final in November. Belgium, led by world number 15 David Goffin, will pit their wits and skills against a Great Britain side featuring the double grand slam winner Andy Murray who was in inspired form against Australia.

Andy Murray won two singles matches and teamed up with his brother, Jamie, for the doubles during the three day tie against Australia. Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Britain reached the Davis Cup final for the first time since 1978 after Andy Murray beat Bernard Tomic in straight sets to give his country a 3-1 lead in the best of five series.

It was 28-year-old Murray's third win of the weekend. On Friday, he overcame Thanassi Kokkinakis and on Saturday he teamed up with older brother Jamie to see off Sam Groth and Lleyton Hewitt.

In the quarter-final against France, Murray also steered Britain to victory by playing two singles matches and the doubles with his brother.

It is a remarkable turnaround for a British team that has risen from being on the verge of relegation to Europe/Africa Group III in 2010 to being finalists in 2015.

They will travel to Belgium for the final between 27 and 29 November. On Sunday, Goffin, the Belgian number one Goffin swept past Argentina's Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-2 6-1 to level the tie at 2-2.

Steve Darcis, ranked 64th in the world, then had the chance to carry his country to its first Davis Cup final since 1904. The 31-year-old took the opening set against the world number 65 Federico Delbonis. 

The 24-year-old Argentine claimed the second set. Darcis, roared on by a capacity crowd at the Forest National in Brussels, edged a tight third 7-5 and looked to be heading to victory when he broke Schwartzman early in the fourth set.

With the Argentine trailing 2-4, Darcis had several points to take a 5-2 lead. He fluffed those opportunities. Serving at 5-4, he had two match points but he again squandered the chances. He was made to pay for his lack of ruthlessness. The Argentine levelled and took the set into a tiebreak. The Belgian eventually rediscovered his composure and won it seven points to three.

"It's one of the biggest moments of my career,' said Darcis after the win in three hours and six minutes.'The atmosphere was unbelievable. Inside it was so hard to stay calm."

Britons were on the opposite side of the court when Belgium last graced the final. They were thrashed 5-0 on the grass courts at Worple Road in south-west London. It's unlikely to be a similar playing surface when the countries next meet.