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 World number two Andy Murray and his brother Jamie, who grew up in
Dunblane, have propelled Britain through the draw, with Andy
churning out vital singles wins and teaming up with his elder
sibling in the doubles.
That is likely to be the scenario again at the Flanders Expo,
beginning on Friday, where despite 13,000 home fans trying to cheer
Belgium to their first ever Davis Cup, Britain will start favorites.
Twice grand slam champion Andy Murray is the class act of the final
-- a repeat of the 1904 match when the British Isles won 5-0 with
brothers Laurence and Reggie Doherty starring.
Murray's commitment to the cause this year has been immense.
The 2013 Wimbledon champion is undefeated, winning two singles
against the United States in Glasgow in March.
Against France in the quarter-finals at Queen's Club, the Murrays
joined forces to win the doubles with Andy winning both his singles
in a 3-1 victory -- the second against Gilles Simon when he was down
on both knees with fatigue.
Then came the semi-final against Australia, again in Glasgow, when
the 28-year-old crushed Bernard Tomic, having won a gripping doubles
five-setter with Jamie the previous day, to send Britain into the
final for the first time since 1978.
He flew into Belgium on Monday -- a country on high alert after the
Paris attacks -- having lost two of his three matches at the ATP
World Tour Finals last week.
How he adapts to the quick switch to indoor clay will be crucial for
Britain captain Leon Smith.
"The reality is that if Andy gets injured or ill, then it would be a
very difficult match to win," Mark Cox, who played for Britain in
the 1978 final, told Reuters.
"Leon has done well to bond the team and get some performances from
James Ward, well beyond what realistically would be expected.
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"But the whole run to the final has relied on Andy's performances
and it has been great to see Jamie rising to the challenge and
becoming a force in doubles."
Roger Federer, who won the trophy for the first time last year for
Switzerland, believes Murray will decide the tie.
"Britain are the favorites, in my opinion, because they have Andy in
the team," he said.
Federer, however, believes Belgium should not be dismissed,
especially with world number 16 David Goffin in their ranks.
"Belgium are at home. I really like Goffin, a great player. Good
attitude. I feel like he's the kind of guy that can handle
pressure," he said.
Goffin will likely be up against Britain's 100th-ranked debutant
Kyle Edmund in the opening match -- a must win rubber for the hosts.
Murray is likely to play Belgium number two Steve Darcis, who won
the fifth rubber in the semi-final against Argentina, although
captain Johan Van Herck could save him for what could be a potential
title-decider in Sunday's reverse singles.
(editing by Justin Palmer)
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