Davis Cup: Best photos and stats ahead of semi-finals as Goffin, Kyrgios, Tsonga, Lajovic prepare to lead their countries

The Davis Cup semi-finals will take place this weekend with Belgium hosting Australia on indoor clay in Brussels while France host a Novak Djokovic-less Serbia in Lille on outdoor clay.

The Belgians are trying to reach their third Davis Cup final, and second in the last three years. They have lost their last two ties played on clay, to Great Britain in the 2015 Final and Croatia in the 2016 World Group first round.

They will be led by world No. 12 David Goffin who has won 13 of his last 14 Davis Cup singles rubbers. He has been hampered by physical problems recently though as he played with an injured left knee during the US Open.

Nick Kyrgios will be leading the Aussies in Brussels, with Lleyton Hewitt opting for John Millman as his second singles man instead of Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The Aussies are playing their second semi-final in three years.

France are playing their first final since they lost to Switzerland, also in Lille, in 2014. They face Serbia, who are trying to win their first tie on clay since 2013. The Serbs have lost their last two ties on the surface.

Here’s a look at some key stats ahead of the action this weekend…

1 – Laslo Djere, of Serbia, could make his Davis Cup debut this weekend, having been nominated for the first time

1 – Belgium are the only team of the four semi-finalists to have never won Davis Cup

2 – Belgium are trying to reach their second Davis Cup final in three years

2 – The Aussies are second on the list for most Davis Cup titles, behind USA, with 28 triumphs

2 – Belgium have won their last two meetings against Australia (in 2010 and 2007) but they are tied 2-2 head-to-head

2 – France are facing Serbia for just the second time in Davis Cup. Serbia won their sole previous meeting

3 – years since Australia last played a Davis Cup tie on clay

3 – years since France last reached the Davis Cup final

3 – wins and 0 losses for Kyrgios against Goffin in their career head-to-head. They will be leading their nations this weekend in Brussels

3 – Belgium are making their third appearance in the semi-finals since the introduction of the World Group in 1981

3 – Lucas Pouille is trying to win just his third live rubber this weekend

4 – Kyrgios has won his last four Davis Cup rubbers. Hasn’t lost one since the World Group quarter-finals in 2015

4 – years since Serbia last made the Davis Cup semi-finals

6 – France have won six of their last seven home ties

7 – years since Serbia beat France in the Davis Cup final

9 – times France have won Davis Cup

10 – comebacks from 0-2 down ever completed in World Group ties

14 – years since Australia last won Davis Cup

15 – nations in total have won the Davis Cup before

18 – France are trying to reach their 18th Davis Cup final

Recommended