As mayhem reigned in the stands and a head-throbbing noise shook an industrial warehouse in Ghent to its frame, two brothers summoned the skills acquired on a windy Dunblane tennis court to put Britain on the cusp of Davis Cup glory on Saturday.
With their Belgian opponents threatening to put a giant spanner in Britain's bid for a long-awaited title, Andy and Jamie Murray's bond proved unshakeable as they triumphed 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-2 against David Goffin and Steve Darcis.
If world No.2 Andy beats Goffin on the red dirt at the Flanders Expo on Sunday, and only the brave would bet against him, his team will be champions for the first time in 79 years and there would be a strong case for the 115-year-old trophy being housed in Dunblane Town Hall in Scotland for a year.
Andy, who partnered his brother to doubles wins against France and Australia en route to the final, said: "I trust Jamie on the doubles court so much. Even if he started slow I knew he would get it going. He loves playing in big matches.
"I just trust him when he's on the court, when he's next to me. Not just because he's my brother but because he's an exceptionally good tennis player."
Without its two favourite sons, only one rubber has been won by a player whose surname isn't Murray in this year's run, Britain would still be in the tennis wilderness.
Andy, 28, is already a national sporting hero, having, in 2013, become the first British male since Fred Perry in 1936 to win Wimbledon, a year after he landed the US Open and the London Olympics titles.
Late bloomer Jamie has become one of the best doubles specialists in the world, reaching the Wimbledon final in July.
Hundreds of British fans led by the so-called Stirling University Barmy Army, complete with tartan caps, ginger wigs, a tuba and drums, made plenty of noise and the support was much appreciated by the Murrays.
As the brass band went through its repertoire post-match, the Murray boys saluted them and high-fived Britain's support team.
Once the fans had left to celebrate in Ghent's many watering holes, Jamie Murray spoke of what it means to play with his brother in the pressure-cooker of a Davis Cup final.
"It's probably more reassuring for me than it is for him," he said.
"We didn't panic. We stayed composed throughout. We fought hard for each other."
Share
