Finland was close to dream position in the playoff match against Argentina, but the 2-0 lead disappeared when Otto Virtanen narrowly lost. On Sunday, Finland can make Davis Cup history and advance to the finals.
Fifth time liked?
At least everything is open for Sunday’s decider in the Davis Cup meeting between Finland and Argentina. The two national teams are fighting for a place in the autumn’s DC finals – and after Saturday’s two singles, it’s tied in Espoo.
Finland came close to taking a 2–0 lead, but 181-ranked Otto Virtanen was eventually forced to surrender to Argentina’s number one Francisco Cerundolo.
Virtanen broke from a deficit against Cerundolo (31st in the world) and he also lost the first set 3–6. The second set went in Finland’s favor with the same numbers and the third set swung back and forth.
Otto Virtanen did his utmost, but had to give up.
Image: Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva
Otto Virtanen
Virtanen came back after losing serve, but after just over two hours of play, Cerundolo won the decisive tiebreak.
– I already said after the first set that I am good in the match. Then I put in a new gear. It means a lot that I can challenge such a good player, but the goal was victory, says Virtanen to Yle.
Cerundolo, who had his breakthrough on the ATP tour last year when, among other things, he beat Norwegian star Casper Ruud, was impressed by Virtanen.
– The Davis Cup is something different from the ATP tour. He hit the ball very hard and I couldn’t do much, says the Argentine.
Audience record for the national team
Finland has lost four times at this stage in the Davis Cup before – most recently a year ago against Belgium.
Even then, Emil Ruusuvuori was the Finnish figurehead. Now he started by beating Pedro Cachin 2-0 in sets.
– I am very pleased. Definitely my best match this year, says Ruusuvuori.
Ruusuvuori’s victory got the home crowd going. According to the tennis association, there were over 5,000 spectators on site, a new audience record for the national tennis team.
43-ranked Ruusuvuori starts Sunday by playing doubles together with Harri Heliövaara. There, Finland needs a victory for the historic advancement to the DC playoffs to feel really close.
– I am very proud of how our players performed. Emil was very stable right through. Otto needed some time to get the engine going, but he took off very well. Finally, we were a couple of balls away from a 2–0 lead in matches, says Finland’s Davis Cup captain Jarkko Nieminen.
Yle broadcasts the second day of the Davis Cup match Finland-Argentina directly at the Arena. The broadcast starts at 12.55.
Davis Cup
Playoff for the playoffs:
Emil Ruusuvuori–Pedro Cachin 2–0 (7–5, 6–3)
Otto Virtanen–Francisco Cerundolo 1–2 (3–6, 6–3, 6–7 (3–7)
