France beat Belgium to win Davis Cup as Pouille defeats Darcis in fifth rubber

France won the Davis Cup for the 10th time as Lucas Pouille beat Belgium’s Steve Darcis in a deciding final match.

The hosts began Sunday’s final day 2-1 up in the best-of-five tie, but David Goffin levelled for Belgium by beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-2.

World number 18 Pouille claimed victory for his country with an emphatic 6-3 6-1 6-0 win over an opponent ranked 76th.

France’s first title since 2001 was celebrated wildly by the 27,000 crowd at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille.

“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.”

France had reached three finals since their previous Davis Cup success – losing in 2002, 2010 and 2014.

Captain Yannick Noah said victory was the conclusion of “a beautiful adventure”.

He added: “I am so happy for this group, when you don’t win for 16 years there are a lot of things to take care of.

“We were just trying to play like a team. Even though we have a number one with Jo, to have Lucas playing the final game at home and winning us the Davis Cup, it was so beautiful.

“This is when his career is really going to start, he was fantastic.”

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