Andy Murray will seize once-in-lifetime chance in the Davis Cup Final, says Tim Henman

Big opportunity: Britain take on Belgium in Ghent this month
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Chris Jones11 November 2015

Tim Henman believes Andy Murray will seize the “once-in-lifetime” opportunity when Great Britain take on Belgium in the Davis Cup Final.

The tie at the Expo Arena in Ghent from November 27‑29 will be Britain’s first appearance in the final for 37 years.

Last week, Murray hammered the Belgian No1 David Goffin 6-1, 6-0 on an indoor hard-court at the Paris Masters but the Davis Cup clash will be on clay, the Scot’s weakest surface.

Murray is spending this week practising on clay before turning his attention to the Barclays ATP Tour Finals, which start at the O2 on Sunday and will be on a faster indoor court. The change in surface could cause problems for Murray, whose back has been a lingering concern following surgery.

However, Henman is hopeful Murray will lead by example and guide Britain to the Cup for the first time since 1936.

The former British No1, who played in 21 ties, said: “This is a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity to win the Davis Cup.

“This would be another amazing achievement on Andy’s CV and representing his country is very important to him.

“Andy enjoys being around the team and this will be one final push because I don’t expect them to be in the final again in the near future. ”

As ever in the Davis Cup, Murray has a testing workload because he will be expected to win both his singles matches against world No16 Goffin and Steve Darcis, ranked No84, and will also partner brother Jamie in the doubles clash. Murray has already played 80 singles matches on the Tour this year compared with 61 for Goffin and 25 for Darcis.

Henman said: “The pressure on Andy is that he has to win three matches for Britain and if you look at the ties he has already played in, he has been outstanding.

“You’re having to play three best‑of‑five set matches on three consecutive days and it is incredibly draining both physically and mentally. Because Andy is a better player we would expect him to beat Goffin and Darcis.

“What makes this so much harder is the accumulation of matches on the Tour and in the Cup but he has never ceased to surprise me with the level of play and wins he has achieved.”

Tim Henman will play Champions Tennis with John McEnroe, Henri Leconte and Pat Cash at The Royal Albert Hall, December 2-6. Tickets royalalberthall.com/tennis or call the box office: 020 7070 4404

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