Andy Murray's Davis Cup final opponent Ruben Bemelmans faces a giant leap into the unknown

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Ruben Bemelmans will make the unlikely leap from playing French league tennis to competing against Andy Murray in the Davis Cup final.

The 27-year-old left-hander, ranked 108, has been given the task of taking on the world number two in the opening singles matches on Friday, with the pair due to take to the court in Ghent after British debutant Kyle Edmund's match against David Goffin.

Belgium are even more unlikely finalists than Britain, and nothing demonstrates that more than the fact Bemelmans' last match eight days ago was for his French club.

Andy Murray shakes hands with Belgian Ruben Bemelmans as the two prepare to face each other on Friday

He said: 'You cannot compare this. I had arranged this already in the beginning of the year, otherwise I wouldn't have played.

'Andy is very solid. He's number two of the world, so it's going to be very tough. 

'I think we have a clear plan and it's up to me to execute this as well as possible.'

The world No 108 will face No 2 Murray only nine days after playing French league tennis

Bemelmans is only the third highest ranked of the Belgian players and the suspicion is captain Johan Van Herck may be saving number two Steve Darcis for the doubles and a decisive fifth rubber should it come down to it.

Explaining his decision, Van Herck said: 'The weekend's going to be long. I think, with all the information I've had over the last two weeks practising, the way we want to attack the matches, the way we see the weekend going, we thought it was the best decision to put Ruben tomorrow, and we'll see after that who will play on Saturday and who will play on Sunday.'

Twenty-year-old Edmund was given the nod ahead of James Ward for Britain's second singles spot, although Ward was also named in the team instead of doubles specialist Dominic Inglot.

Bemelmans listens to Belgium Davis Cup captain Johan van Herck during a practice session in Ghent

Van Herck said: 'It's a Davis Cup final. I think it's all new for us, for both teams.

'We expected Kyle to be the number two player. We expected Ward was going to stay on the team, because it was going to be a huge risk to keep Inglot in. If something happened to the other players, they wouldn't have another singles player.

'I think he's a talented player. We're sure he's ready to go to play, and will rise to the occasion. So are we. We expect a difficult match.'

Kyle Edmund has been selected by Leon Smith as Great Britain's second singles player in the weekend's final

Like Murray and Bemelmans, this will be a first meeting between Edmund and Goffin, and the Belgian number one admitted he is somewhat in the dark.

Goffin, ranked 16th, said: 'I think he has great potential. On clay he could be a really good opponent. He won Challengers on clay. I think he's really talented.

'I don't know him a lot. I don't know how he's playing. It will be a little bit of a surprise tomorrow.'

World No 16 David Goffin plays Edmund in the opening match on Friday before facing Murray on Sunday

While the Belgians are underdogs, a big factor in their favour is they are playing at home and will have 90 per cent of the 13,000-strong crowd behind them at the Flanders Expo.

Van Herck said: 'I think it will be unbelievable. I think it will be a little bit like a carnival. We hope there will be a lot of noise. I think that's what the players deserve to get when they get on court.

'The two nations played all the matches at home this year. We'll have this one at home also. We're looking forward to getting the people involved. I think it can really be an advantage.'

Belgium will be underdogs in the final but have the advantage of a partisan home crowd to cheer them on