Finland on Tuesday became the first Scandinavian country to make the Davis Cup semi-finals since Sweden in 2007 following a gutsy win over champions Canada, and captain Jarkko Nieminen said their success can help grow the sport in the region.
Cheered on at the finals in Malaga by thousands of Finnish fans who have made the nearby town of Fuengirola their home, the tournament outsiders prevailed 2-1 with Otto Virtanen and Harri Heliovaara securing a victory in the doubles decider.
Finland boasts famous figures in Formula One, ice hockey, athletics and winter sports, but not many noted tennis players, and former world No. 13 Nieminen said his team’s best-ever Davis Cup run could inspire a new generation.
Photo: AFP
“Many people play tennis. Not so many compete,” Nieminen told reporters. “We don’t have too many professional players. It’s a popular hobby sport, but not one of the traditional sports in Finland.”
“Now tennis is getting bigger and bigger. Even before our success, tennis was getting a little bit bigger. Now tennis is getting more attention. The Davis Cup team is getting more attention,” he said. “Just that you’re able to see more tennis on TV or in the newspapers helps and you have idols like these guys. It’s not one of the biggest sports but hopefully it will be in the near future.”
Canada’s Milos Raonic eased to a 6-3, 7-5 win over Patrick Kaukovalta in the first singles rubber before Virtanen kept Finland’s hopes alive by beating Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 7-5.
Virtanen returned alongside Heliovaara in their decisive doubles against Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil to delight a few thousand Finnish supporters on the Costa del Sol.
Heliovaara revealed he had never even played with his teammate in training as a doubles pairing before defeating Canada.
“We have never, ever practised even one point together before today... We went through the tactics 15 minutes before the match,” he said.
Finland are to play the winner of yesterday’s quarter-final between last year’s runners-up Australia and the Czech Republic in tomorrow’s semi-final.
Additional reporting by AFP
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