Last Updated: November 22, 2023, 03:00 IST
MALAGA:Canada’s reign as Davis Cup champions was ended by outsiders Finland who produced an enormous shock on the opening day of the Final Eight in Malaga on Tuesday.
Roared on by 1000’s of Finnish followers, Otto Virtanen and Harri Heliovaara beat Vasek Pospisil and Alexis Galarneau 7-5 6-3 to maneuver in to the semi-finals for the primary time.
Milos Raonic, enjoying within the occasion for the primary time in 5 years, had given Canada the right begin as he dispatched lowly-ranked Finn Patrick Kaukovalta 6-3 7-5 due to 18 aces.
Both groups have been hit by accidents with Canada’s high-ranked participant Felix Auger-Aliassime unable to take to the courtroom whereas Finland’s primary Emil Ruusuvuori was additionally dominated out.
But 171st-ranked Virtanen stepped up for his nation with a powerful defeat of fellow 22-yr-outdated Gabriel Diallo to take the tie right into a deciding doubles rubber.
Virtanen once more produced some gorgeous tennis whereas Canada’s hopes weren’t helped by an harm to Pospisil who battled on.
A service break within the eighth recreation of the second set proved sufficient and Finland sealed the win to arrange a conflict later this week in opposition to Czech Republic or final yr’s runners-up Australia.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)
