Davis Cup 2024: Great Britain vs Finland – results & updates

Match three: Finland come alive in doubles rubber

Harri Heliovaara and Otto Virtanen gave the Finnish crew one thing to struggle for in Manchester after they defeated British duo Dan Evans and Neal Skupski 7-6(4), 7-5 within the remaining rubber of the tie.

“Delighted with the singles,” Lexus Nice Britain Davis Cup Group Captain Leon Smith stated. “Evo began us off, did a very good job. It’s not straightforward while you’re such a scorching favorite to win that one. Then for Billy it’s a dream debut clearly. He beat an excellent participant in Otto who has an ideal document in Davis Cup and an enormous sport.

“We’re going to be disillusioned to lose that doubles – that nearly got here again to chew us final yr. I hope it doesn’t this time as a result of that was actually essential.”

Returning to court docket simply a few hours after incomes a win towards Eero Vasa within the singles, Evans and Skupski joined forces as soon as once more within the hopes of re-creating doubles enjoyment of Manchester.

Little separated the pairs within the opener as they discovered their approach to a primary set tie-break the place Finland made the faster begin. Heliovaara and Virtanen sprinted forward to a 5-1 lead earlier than finally seeing out the primary set with ease.

Heading into the second and Evans and Skupski appeared to provide the right response to dropping the set as they discovered themselves with break factors on the opening sport of the second. After pulling again to deuce 5 instances, the Finns finally escaped unscathed and the search for a primary break of the match continued.

With each groups battling toe-to-toe and giving little away on serve, we appeared to be heading in the direction of a second successive tie-break, however Heliovaara and Virtanen.

A late surge noticed them dig up three match factors because the all-British pair clung on, however an inch-perfect lob from Virtanen left Skupski scrambling to return inside the court docket earlier than it will definitely landed broad to safe Finland’s first win of the Group Levels in Manchester.

Match two: Harris enjoys dream debut to safe tie for GB

Billy Harris had a debut to recollect on his first match for Nice Britain on the Davis Cup as he cruised to a 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Finland’s Otto Virtanen to safe the tie victory for the Brits.

“Unbelievable ambiance out right here,” Harris beamed in his post-match interview. “The house crowd pulled me via in the long run when it was tight. It made an enormous distinction so thanks all.

“I believe this has simply topped it for me (highlights of the yr). We play week in and week out for ourselves however first time taking part in for my nation and it was an ideal begin.”

Regardless of being his Davis Cup debut, the world No.101 confirmed little indicators of nerves within the opening levels of match. The Brit’s serve is undoubtedly one in all his greatest weapons and as we speak was no totally different, as he dominated the factors on his service video games – touchdown a outstanding 77% of first serves and successful 82% (40/49) of factors behind it throughout the match.

After a few unforced errors leaked off Virtanen’s racket, Harris was offered with two break factors at 2-2, however he wanted only one to get his breakthrough, after the Finnish star returned a weak backhand slice into the online. Virtanen threatened to interrupt again instantly, however Harris batted away any hazard to carry agency earlier than happening to seal the opening set with an ace.

The Briton continued to mount the stress on the world No.109 early within the second, clinching an 3-1 lead due to a double fault from Virtanen on break level. However simply when the 29-year-old caught a glimpse of the end line, Virtanen awoke from the brink of defeat to interrupt again and draw degree.

With the scoreboard locked at 6-6, we headed right into a tie-break, the place Virtanen made a assured begin by throwing down three consecutive aces. Nevertheless, Harris fought to tug the momentum again in his path – luring the Finn into uncomfortable, prolonged exchanges from the baseline, the place he launched a forehand into the online to present the Brit three match factors.

After Virtanen saved one with a elegant forehand down the road, Harris slammed a serve out broad which the Finn despatched lengthy to safe a valiant win on debut and the tie for his nation.

Match one: Evans marks twenty sixth Davis Cup tie with straight units win

Nice Britain took an early benefit towards 2023 semi-finalists Finland after the skilled Evans clocked a 7-6(3), 6-2 victory over Eero Vasa.

“I discovered it robust for fairly a very long time to get the ball-striking there,” Evans stated in his on-court interview. “He did an ideal job of dashing me however I began to play a bit higher within the second after which rather well on the finish.

“A giant thanks to everybody for popping out, we actually admire it. You’re an ideal crowd and it actually makes the event – it helps us a lot.”

As we speak marked the start of Evans’ 26^th Davis Cup tie, which now sees him rise to joint second on the all-time listing for many ties performed for Nice Britain, alongside Mike Sangster.

Within the first assembly between the 2, it was the Finnish world No.703 who appeared to place the stress on the Brit from the off, as Evans was compelled to avoid wasting two break factors on his opening service sport.

From then on, Evans tightened up on his service sport, successful 92% (33/36) of factors off his first serve and citing 4 break level alternatives throughout the set, together with three set factors at 6-5.

Evans – who has clinched a powerful 16 wins for his nation – received off to a flying begin within the tie-break as he raced forward to a 6-1 lead, earlier than securing the set due to a double fault from Vasa.

Fuelled with power from the house crowd on the AO Enviornment in Manchester, Evans picked up the place he left off within the second as he appeared to maintain his foot on the accelerator. The Brit channelled all his expertise of competing on the high flight of the game to step by step put on the Finn down. Up a double break to the nice, Evans positioned Nice Britain on the cusp of taking a 1-0 lead as he finally closed out the win in an hour and 39 minutes.

Davis Cup Group D standings