Emil Ruusuvuori may very well be fit to play in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup between Finland and Australia on Friday.
Matti Lehtisaari,
Janne Karinkanta
Finnish and Australian tennis Davis Cup semi-final match on Friday at 17:00 on TV2 and Areena
On Friday, the Finnish national tennis team will seek a continuation of its sensational story at the Davis Cup final tournament in Malaga. Finland will challenge Australia in the semi-final match.
A shoulder injury forced Emil Ruusuvuoren aside from the quarter-final against Canada. But Thursday boded well, when Ruusuvuori looked strong in training.
– I felt much better than I had for many days or actually for many weeks. It was really important to get a couple of weeks of physics. When I improved my physique, hopefully the body will keep up better, Ruusuvuori told Urheilu.
Are you in the ring on Friday?
– The same words as last time. Everything is done as well as possible, but now I feel better. Much better than before the last match. If there are no surprises, I believe I will be on the field, Ruusuvuori predicts.
Even though Ruusuvuori was on the sidelines, Finland stretched to a handsome victory over Canada in the quarterfinals.
– I can be really proud of my friends. Everyone stretched to incredible performances. I personally watched the Davis Cup for the first time from the bench, so it was a strange feeling. It was hard to be on the field myself, even though I knew I wasn’t in good enough shape, Ruusuvuori said.
Finland challenges the 28-time Davis Cup champion
The resistance will probably only get stronger when Finland measures up to Australia.
– 28-time Davis Cup champion, doesn’t that speak for itself? They have an incredibly balanced package and really good four players, Ruusuvuori described Friday’s opponent.
Australia’s number one player Alex de Minaur is a familiar player to Ruusuvuori. De Minaur is ranked 12th in the world.
– De Minaur was even close to reaching the final tournament in Turin. I’ve trained a lot with him and know the guy well. A really dangerous and good player on such courts, Ruusuvuori estimates.
There has been a great Finnish tennis frenzy in Malaga, when thousands of Finnish fans have traveled to watch historic events.
– Not many people get to experience something like this. There has never been such a Finnish audience abroad before. I definitely want to experience such a unique opportunity on the field as well. Great moments, let’s take advantage of every second, Ruusuvuori sent his greetings to the viewers.