LILLE, France (Reuters) - Lucas Pouille had never lost to David Goffin before Friday but the Frenchman admitted after a straight-sets defeat in the Davis Cup final that the Belgian was no longer the same player. Goffin played a near-perfect match to win 7-5 6-3 6-1 and earn visitors Belgium a 1-0 lead after holding off world number 18 Pouille in the opening set. Pouille had won their only three meetings in 2016 but Friday's encounter was very different as the Frenchman could not pierce his opponent's armour. "He is definitely a different, better player, that's why he's had the end of season that he's had," Pouille, who often trains with Goffin and is among the Belgian's best friends, told a news conference. "He is now among the best players in the world, his level has been incredible since his Davis Cup semi-final (in September).

Source: The Star November 24, 2017 17:15 UTC