Australia’s de Minaur guided Australia into Davis Cup final. The world number 12 wore down Emil Ruusuvuori in a 6-4, 6-3 triumph after Alexei Popyrin beat Otto Virtanen 7-6 (7/5), 6-2. Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt said reaching the final means “a hell of a lot” to him. De Minaur expertly steered his team into their 49th final. Finland’s number one, Ruusuvuori, 69th in the world, missed the Canada win with a shoulder problem. Ruusuvuori exchanged breaks with De Minaur, with the Australian converting his sixth break point in the third game. De Minaur broke a second time when the Finn hit a backhand into the net. Ruusuvuori conceded a third break by slapping a forehand into the net. De Minaur broke saved a break point against an aggressive Ruusuvuori and then broke himself for a 2-1 lead, which he protected. Finland captain Jarkko Nieminen was disappointed not to make further history by taking the team to the final but said the experience was “amazing”. (143)
