Burning Questions Ahead of the 2015 Davis Cup Final

The 2015 Davis Cup Final is being billed as Andy Murray's opportunity to capture Great Britain's first title since 1936.

Yes, Belgium is hosting, but it's all about Andy. Can Murray win another one for the Union Jack, like he did at the 2012 Summer Olympics and at Wimbledon in 2013? 

Whether the Belgians can disrupt Great Britain's anticipated coronation is just one of the burning questions ahead of the Davis Cup final.

The finals get underway November 27 in Ghent, Belgium, indoors, on red clay. Murray leads the Brits. His brother Jamie Murray, ranked No. 7 in doubles, is the second-biggest name on the team.

David Goffin, ranked No. 16, is the only member of the Belgian team ranked in the Top 20 in singles or doubles. 

Although clear underdogs, the Belgians are a persistent group of lads who are trying to make history too. It would be their country's first-ever Davis Cup title. 

The tie will take place as concern over terrorists threats from ISIS looms large over all international sporting events. Whether security will be tight enough is among the following burning questions ahead of the Davis Cup Final. 

How Will the Aljaz Bedene Decision Impact the Brits?

Associated Press

Aljaz Bedene hits a forehand during the 2015 Paris Masters.

The ITF recently ruled Aljaz Bedene, the British No. 2 singles player, ineligible to play in the finals. Ranked No. 45, Bedene played two Davis Cup ties for Slovenia this year before becoming a British citizen in March. He's lived in Great Britain since 2008. 

In January, the ITF introduced a new rule barring players from representing two different countries in the same year. 

Bedene appealed the ruling on the grounds that he was already in the process of changing nationalities when the new rule took effect. The ITF won't make a decision on his case until after the finals. So despite being listed on the Davis Cup website as representing Great Britain, Bedene will have to sit this one out. 

Murray described the ITF's treatment of Bedene, per the Daily Mail, as "a bit disrespectful."  

Murray could use a better singles player. Without Bedene, the British have to rely on No. 99 Kyle Edmund, who has never played a Davis Cup rubber. Or Murray, who will be weary from the ATP Finals, will have to play two singles and possibly a doubles match. 

Will Murray Regret Playing in the ATP Finals?

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Andy Murray hits a forehand volley during his semifinals Davis Cup match.

If Murray has to play three matches, fatigue could be a big factor.

Murray and his brother Jamie are competing in the ATP World Tour Finals in London. 

Shortly after Great Britain defeated Australia in the semifinals, Murray considered skipping London to concentrate on clay-court preparation for the Davis Cup.

Several weeks prior to the start of the ATP Tour Finals, Murray told BBC Radio 5 (h/t Russell Fuller of BBC Tennis), "The O2 would obviously be a question mark for me if we were playing [the Davis Cup final] on clay. I would go and train and prepare on the clay to get ready for the final."

Obviously, Murray changed his mind. 

With Bedene out, Murray is the only singles player on the British team with a winning record in Davis Cup play this year. In fact, James Ward (1-2) is the only other British player with a singles win in Davis Cup this year. 

Can Goffin Take Down Murray?

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David Goffin hits a backhand during the 2015 Davis Cup semifinal against Argentina.

Like Murray, David Goffin is the best player on his team. He'll have to be better than Murray if Belgium stands a chance. 

Goffin knows something about overcoming odds in big tournaments. In 2012, at age 21, Goffin reached the fourth round of the French Open as a lucky loser. He lost to Roger Federer, who gave the youngster high marks.

"He's got great potential in terms of his touch and the way he reads the game. He moves well, takes a backhand early and absorbs pace really well from the baseline," Federer told NDTV Sports. 

Goffin is 0-2 against Murray. This includes losing 6-0, 6-1, to Murray at the Paris Masters earlier this month. 

Will the Murrays Get the Nod Again in Doubles?

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Andy Murray and brother Jamie Murray celebrate their doubles win during the Davis Cup semifinals.

The Murray brothers took down a feisty Australian doubles team of Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4 in the Davis Cup semifinals. 

It was an epic match in their homeland of Scotland that pretty much sealed the victory for the Brits. 

British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith has no qualms about putting Murray out there with his brother, even if that means the country's No. 1 player has to play three matches.

After their semifinals win, Smith told the Guardian. 

“Andy’s the best players across the two teams and, if he can play, he should play. Not only that, he and Jamie are a great pair."

Can the Belgians Pull of the Big Upset?

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Belgium's Davis Cup Team.

Last year's Davis Cup finals featured Switzerland vs. France. It was loaded with big names, including Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet. Even Julien Benneteau, the designated doubles player for the French in that final, is better known than any of this Belgian bunch. 

But somehow, the Belgians managed to play their way to the country's first final in more than 100 years. 

Don't count them out. Goffin is 11-2 in Davis Cup singles play. Steve Darcis, winner of the deciding rubber against Argentina, is 17-8. He's 10-1 in Davis Cup play on clay. 

Will Security Concerns Diminish Davis Cup Atmosphere?

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Security outside stadium where Germany vs. Netherlands soccer game was cancelled under precautions associated with terrorist threat.

One of the best things about Davis Cup tournaments is the NCAA Finals-like atmosphere. The fans are louder and a bit crazy. Chanting is not only tolerated, it's encouraged.

But will increased security put a damper on the festivities? Will drums, sticks and other noise-making tools be confiscated? How will the players react to the increased security?

Murray told BBC Sport, "I don't want to live in fear each time I step on a court." 

A statement from the International Tennis Federation, published in the Guardian, read: “The ITF, Royal Belgian Tennis Federation and associated partners are continuing with preparations for the Davis Cup final, with the emphasis on security operations.

Considering that the man who reportedly planned the Paris attacks was from Belgium, security should be extra tight for this event. Raids on neighborhoods to reported ISIS militants in Belgium must have many on edge. 

Perhaps once play starts, the players and fans will let go of fear and embrace the Davis Cup tradition.