LILLE, France (AP) — For all his individual brilliance, David Goffin could not make up for the lack of depth in the Belgian team at the Davis Cup final.
Looking for its first title in the team competition, Belgium lost a second final in three years on Sunday, going down 3-2 to France.
Belgium was guided by an impressive Goffin and spurred on by its raucous fans in the northern city of Lille, close to the Belgian border. Belgium took the final to the second reverse singles where Steve Darcis was routed 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 by Lucas Pouille.
The French, with a team featuring Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Pouille, Richard Gasquet and doubles specialist Pierre-Hugues Herbert, were favorites to win their 10th title.
But the seventh-ranked Goffin proved a problem for the hosts throughout the weekend, winning his two singles matches against Tsonga and Pouille without dropping a set.
"The best player this weekend was on the Belgian side," said former top-ranked player Justine Henin of Belgium.