Ruusuvuori’s opening opponent comes from the United States.
Otto Virtanella faces a tough challenge as he prepares for the most classic tournament on the Grand Slam tennis tour, Wimbledon, played on the grass in London.
The Finn will face an Australian in the first round of the men’s singles on Monday by Max Purcell. Purcell, who grew up in the greatness of the sport, is 94th in the most recently published ATP world list, while Virtanen’s ranking is 149th.
Virtanen is encouraged by the fact that he beat Purcell last year in France on the ATP challenger tour in a match that stretched to three sets.
– A familiar man from last season’s Lille final. He knows how to play well on grass, which his place in the final in Eastbourne speaks for, Virtanen anticipates.
“Special place”
For Virtanes, the main series place on the Grand Slam tour is the third of his career. The previous ones come from the French and US Open tournaments.
Virtanen advanced to the Wimbledon singles main series after tight qualifying games. In two of those matches, he won a total of four match points.
– This (Wimbledon) has always been a special place for me. There are good memories here, Virtanen praised.
He has prepared himself for Wimbledon’s main series with traditional means.
– Now to get my body in shape, and then move on, Virtanen said on the Tennisliito website.
Rusuvuori is facing a good pitcher
Finland’s number one player Emil Ruusuvuori (ATP-88) will face an American in his opening singles match MacKenzie McDonald’sRuusuvuori’s opponent is eight places higher than Ruusuvuori in the world rankings.
Ruusuvuori leads the players’ mutual matches with wins of 2–1. He praises McDonald, who he last beat in Washington in 2022, as a tough opponent.
– He is a dangerous guy on the grass. Really good passes.
Spain, the defending Wibledon champion Carlos Alcarazin is scheduled to face an Estonian in his opening match on Monday Mark Lajal.