GHENT, Belgium — Ruben Bemelmans was handed the unenviable task of trying to stop Andy Murray's bid to win the Davis Cup final for Britain this weekend after being surprisingly picked as Belgium's second singles player.
The world number 108 was selected ahead of higher-ranked Steve Darcis by captain Johan Van Herck and will face world number two Murray in Friday's second singles.
It could be a ploy by Van Herck to keep Darcis fresh for Saturday's doubles and a potential fifth-rubber decider on Sunday against Britain's number two player.
The 27-year-old Bemelmans believes that, despite many thinking he will be a sacrificial lamb against Murray who has won all his six singles rubbers in leading Britain to the final, he can cause the Scot problems.