Finland defeated reigning champions Canada 2-1 in the Davis Cup last eight, bolstered by enthusiastic support as the finals began in Malaga.
Following their victory in the Billie Jean King Cup earlier in November, Canada intended to continue their success in the men’s World Cup of tennis, but were knocked out by Finland, who advanced to the semifinals for the first time.
In the first singles match, Canada’s Milos Raonic defeated Patrick Kaukovalta 6-3, 7-5, while Finland’s Otto Virtanen defeated Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 7-5. To the pleasure of a few thousand Finnish fans on the Costa del Sol, Virtanen returned with Harri Heliovaara to win 7-5, 6-3 in the deciding doubles against Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil.
Neither country’s top player was available, with Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland both injured. Raonic came out of the gate strong, serving four aces to hold to love in the first game against Kaukovalta, and totaled 18 in his straight-set victory.
After nearly two years out due to injury, the former world No. 3 made his competitive comeback in June, but his high-power serve remains as devastating as ever. Despite the fact that there was more blue and white in the stands than Canadian red, the Canadian held his nerve in his first Davis Cup encounter since 2018. Raonic lost only two points in the second set of his comfortable victory after breaking for a 5-3 lead in the first set and serving it out, dropping only one game on serve.