Davis Cup: Australia's Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin outclass Finland to return to Davis Cup final
Australia reached a second successive Davis Cup final as Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin earned the 28-time champions a 2-0 win over Finland on Friday; head to the Sky Sports website and app, for live scores, reports, analysis and features
Friday 24 November 2023 21:07, UK
Australia ended the surprise run of Finland to reach the Davis Cup final for the second year in a row.
Giant-killers Finland defeated Croatia and the USA in the group stage in September to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time and then upset defending champions Canada on Tuesday.
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Backed by thousands of fans in Malaga thanks to a sizeable local population of ex-pats, they hoped to continue the fairy-tale but found Australia too strong.
Otto Virtanen, ranked 171, had been the unlikely star of their run but he was beaten 7-6 (5) 6-2 by Alexei Popyrin, a late call-up to the Australia team and picked ahead of Jordan Thompson, in the opening match.
"[That was] probably the biggest win of my career so far," said Popyrin, who recorded his first victory in a live rubber. "To win a match that means so much for us is an honour and something I will never forget."
Finland were boosted by the return of their No 1 Emil Ruusuvuori from a shoulder injury but he was unable to capitalise on a good start against world No 12 Alex De Minaur and went down 6-4 6-3.
"Extremely proud moment but I could have not done it without these guys," De Minaur said, pointing to his team. "What we have been able to accomplish in back-to-back years is special, just to show we come together as a group and how important it is for us.
"Alexei hasn't played for Australia in a very long time and had a massive match. He played a very high quality opponent and dug super deep. He won us the tie.
"I'm happy to be in another final and hopefully we can do one better."
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Australia will now try to go one better than last year's 2-0 loss to Canada when they take on either Serbia or Italy in the final.
It is a 49th Davis Cup final for Australia but they have not lifted the trophy since 2003.
