Lucas Pouille clinched a Davis Cup title for France after beating Steve Darcis in the final rubber in Lille on Sunday.
The triumph ends a 16-year wait for Davis Cup glory for France who had previously suffered final heartbreak in 2002, 2010 and 2014.
Pouille ran through Darcis after David Goffin’s superb performance against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth rubber had given Belgium hope of an upset on French soil.
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The world no. 18 won 6-3 6-1 6-0 against Darcis, who sits 76th in the world rankings.
It is France’s tenth Davis Cup, but their first since 2001 and Pouille explained it was a momentous moment for him and his team-mates.
‘When Jo lost I was crazy in my head and I was like go on, play your game, try to beat him. This is a feeling from another world,’ Pouille said.
‘There are no words needed, just look at the atmosphere and hear the emotion right now.
‘I am so proud of my team, we really wanted this trophy. After 16 years, we finally got it, I’m very happy.’
More: Tennis
France began the day 2-1 up in front of their home fans, before Pouille earned the deciding point.
There was wild scenes of celebration at the end of the game as Pouille collapsed on the court and was mobbed by his team-mates.
Lucas Pouille clinched a Davis Cup title for France after beating Steve Darcis in the final rubber in Lille on Sunday.
The triumph ends a 16-year wait for Davis Cup glory for France who had previously suffered final heartbreak in 2002, 2010 and 2014.
Pouille ran through Darcis after David Goffin’s superb performance against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth rubber had given Belgium hope of an upset on French soil.
More: Tennis
The world no. 18 won 6-3 6-1 6-0 against Darcis, who sits 76th in the world rankings.
It is France’s tenth Davis Cup, but their first since 2001 and Pouille explained it was a momentous moment for him and his team-mates.
‘When Jo lost I was crazy in my head and I was like go on, play your game, try to beat him. This is a feeling from another world,’ Pouille said.
‘There are no words needed, just look at the atmosphere and hear the emotion right now.
‘I am so proud of my team, we really wanted this trophy. After 16 years, we finally got it, I’m very happy.’
More: Tennis
France began the day 2-1 up in front of their home fans, before Pouille earned the deciding point.
There was wild scenes of celebration at the end of the game as Pouille collapsed on the court and was mobbed by his team-mates.
