Finnish tennis players made history in Espoo when Finland defeated Argentina 3–1 in the Davis Cup.
At the same time, Finland advanced to the final tournament of the best 16 countries for the first time.
The struggle was resolved in Sunday’s second match, when Emil Ruusuvuori (ATP-43) detd by Facundo Bagnis (ATP-88) 7–5, 6–1.
– A magical feeling. We implemented the same tactics in the foul point as in the whole match and started bravely. It fell on the line and then I got to vent with all my heart, for the whole team and for this audience, the Finnish hero summed up.
Rosuvuori was scheduled to face Argentina’s number one Francisco Cerundolo (ATP-31), but Bagnis, ranked 88th in the world, changed to the opponent. According to STT, Cerundolo had to withdraw due to a muscle injury.
– I didn’t expect to meet him. But in general I have a pretty good feeling against vasurs (left-handers) and especially on this fast platform. I just started with a really positive attitude and tried to have a good game of my own. It didn’t really matter who was on the other side of the field, Ruusuvuori talked.
Sunday turned out to be a long day for Ruusuvuori, as he fought in the first match of the day, the doubles, his pair Harri Heliövaaran with the victory in a close match About Maximo Gonzalez and From Andres Molten. The match, which ended 7–6 (7–5), 4–6, 6–4 for the Finnish pair, lasted almost three hours.
After the opening day, the situation was 1–1. Rusuvuori defeated Argentina in their match on Saturday by Pedro Cachin (ATP-68) 7–5, 6–3.
Otto Virtanen (ATP-181) narrowly lost to Cerundolo 3–6, 6–3, 6–7 (3–7) on Saturday.
Virtanen was supposed to face Pedro Cachi in Sunday’s third match, but it was not needed in the end.
“Successful this time”
For Argentina, the result is a huge disappointment, as the country has been in the Davis Cup final four times. It has also won the tournament once: in 2016.
There are currently seven Argentines in the top 100 in the singles world rankings, but the country’s number one player Diego Schwartzman and thirdly, very Sebastian Baez were not involved.
According to Ruusuvuori, the secret of Finland’s success lies in a good team spirit.
– Friendship and an insane desire to win, especially in team games like this. We’ve gotten so much out of everyone in every match. This time we were lucky and it was our turn, Ruusuvuori commented.
Also Finland’s captain Jarkko Nieminen praised the actions of the Finnish men.
– It’s hard to imagine that there could be a better team spirit. The team is full of different, great individuals and everyone is ready to do anything for each other, Nieminen nodded.
– This has been a long journey for a few years, we have developed as a team all the time. It’s wonderful that we received such an award. The journey continues in the fall in the final tournament, absolutely crazy!
This is how the final tournament is played
Finland played in the Davis Cup for the first time in 1928.
Finland had played in the last stage of the qualification four times before, but was always the losing side: in 1990 there was a loss to Sweden, in 1999 to Italy, in 2002 to the Netherlands and last year to Belgium.
The Tennis Federation says that the best performance in the history of the Finnish national teams is the women’s national team’s place in the quarterfinals at the World Championship level in 1993. The team was formed by Nanne Dahlman, Petra Thoren, Linda Jansson and Katrina Saarinen and the captain Leo Palin.
In Espoo, Finland’s victory over Argentina was watched by 9,500 spectators over the weekend.
The initial group stage of the Davis Cup finals will be played in four different locations on September 12-17, 2023. The International Tennis Federation ITF will next apply for the playing spots, after which a lottery will be held. The countries are divided into four initial groups, the best two of which advance to the final tournament of the eight best countries on November 21–26. To Malaga.
Finland – Argentina 3–1
Croatia – Austria 3–1
Hungary – France 2-3
Uzbekistan – USA 0-4
Germany – Switzerland 2-3
Colombia v Great Britain 1-3
Norway – Serbia 0-4
Chile – Kazakhstan 3–1
South Korea – Belgium 3–2
Sweden – Bosnia-Herzegovina 3–1
Holland – Slovakia 4–0
Portugal – Czech Republic 1-3
In addition to the qualifiers, the 16 include reigning champion Canada and finalist Australia, as well as wild card winners Spain and Italy.
Updated story at 20:54. Added information on how the final tournament will be played in the fall.