Harri Heliövaara and his British partner advanced to the top eight on Monday morning Finnish time.
Harri Heliövaara and his British counterpart Henry Patten advanced to the top eight in the Australian Open tennis tournament.
The duo defeated the Americans in the third round Austin Krajic too and By Rajeev Ram in chapters 6–3, 7–6 (8–6). Heliövaara and Patten have not lost a single set in the tournament.
The duo took a 3–1 lead in the first set when they managed to break the USA’s pass. After that, both kept their serve until the end of the set.
In the second set, both held their serve until the tie-break. In the tie-break, Heliövaara and Patten were neck and neck the whole time and finally decided the match with a score of 8–6.
– It was again a very good match. We can be satisfied with what we did. A strong routine performance. We didn’t have to perform the impossible, but we maintained our own level incredibly well. The third straight match in two sets says something about our level, Heliövaara told Urheilu.
In the semifinals, they will face 15th placed Monaco Hugo Nys and France by Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
– A new pair for this year. They have played three good tight matches here and both have plenty of experience. It’s not an easy match coming up, but we certainly have the means to undermine their game, Heliövaara commented.
Heliövaara and Patten have in mind winning the tournament.
– We came here with a tournament win in mind and we are still looking for that. Basically, we’re halfway there. Three victories behind and hopefully three ahead, Heliövaara said.
In the singles of the boys’ series Oskari Paldanius advanced to the third round. He beat Sweden by Ludvid Heden by 6–3, 6–2.