MÁLAGA:
Finland eliminated defending champions Canada with a 2-1 Davis Cup last-eight triumph, boosted by fervent support as the finals got under way in Malaga on Tuesday.
After their Billie Jean King Cup triumph earlier in November, Canada hoped to continue their success at the men’s tennis World Cup, but were ousted as Finland reached the semifinals for the first time.
Canadian Milos Raonic won 6-3, 7-5 over Patrick Kaukovalta in the first singles before Otto Virtanen kept Finland’s hopes alive by beating Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 7-5.
Virtanen returned alongside Harri Heliovaara to triumph 7-5, 6-3 in the deciding doubles against Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil to delight a few thousand Finnish fans on the Costa del Sol.
“We played really great doubles today … we played really well together,” Virtanen said.
“Why stop here, we have even more partying on Friday,” added Heliovaara.
Neither country had their top player available, with Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori both injured.
Raonic came out of the blocks with four aces to keep him in the opener against Kaukovalta and amassed 18 in total in his straight-sets triumph.
The former world number three made his competitive return in June after nearly two years out due to injury, but his powerful serve remains as lethal as ever.
Despite Canada’s red outnumbering the blue and white in the stands at Martin Carpena Arena, the Canadian held his nerve in his first Davis Cup match since 2018.
After breaking for a 5-3 lead in the first set and serving it out, dropping just one service point in the process, Raonic dropped just two more in the second set of his convincing victory.
“I’ve definitely never played against anyone with that kind of serve,” Kaukovalta said.
“I hadn’t read about it at any point in the race.”
However, Virtanen, who was instrumental in Finland’s progress to the Davis Cup finals, gave Finland plenty of support to cheer.
“In front of these fans it makes me play better every time,” said Virtanen, showing strength and fine reflexes to break Diallo in both sets, forcing the deciding doubles.
The Finnish duo beat 2014 Wimbledon doubles champion Pospisil and his partner Galarneau, breaking at the second time of asking to take the first set 7-5.
They broke again for a 5-3 lead in the second set and served it out, Virtanen earning the win with an ace.
Finland will face either Australia or the Czech Republic in Friday’s first semi-final.
ATP Finals winner Novak Djokovic and runner-up Yannick Sinner will square off on Thursday when Serbia take on Great Britain and Italy battle the Netherlands.
a href=”https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447617/finland-stun-champions-canada-in-davis-cup”>Source link
