Finland stuns defending champion Canada to reach Davis Cup semifinals

Some 3,000 Finnish fans traveled to the Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga.

Published November 21, 2023

MALAGA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 21: Harri Heliovaara of Finland celebrates after winning match point during the Quarter Final match against Vasek Pospisil and Alexis Galarneau of Canada in the Davis Cup at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on November 21, 2023 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images) — © GIAMPIERO SPOSITO

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Feeling at home, Finland upset defending champion Canada to reach the semifinals of the Davis Cup for the first time on Tuesday.

Otto Virtanen and Harri Heliovaara defeated Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 6-3 in the decisive doubles match to give the 14th-ranked Finns the victory over No. 1 Canada in the first of the quarterfinals in southern Spain.

Virtanen had kept Finland alive by defeating Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 7-5 in the second singles match after Milos Raonic had given Canada the first point with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Patrick Kaukovalta.

MALAGA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 21: Finland fans celebrate after winning match point during the Quarter Final match against in the Davis Cup at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on November 21, 2023 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for ITF) — © Getty Images for ITF

Finland was backed by some 3,000 Finnish fans at the Martin Carpena arena in Malaga.

"We are not in Finland but we feel like we are in Finland," Virtanen said. "I love the pressure of playing in front of these fans, it just makes me play better every time, all the support I get. It means everything to play for my country. Today was amazing."