Goffin is now a different player, says beaten Pouille

Tennis - Davis Cup Final - France vs Belgium - Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France - November 24, 2017 Belgium’s David Goffin and Lucas Pouille of France shake hands after their match REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

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.