Davis Cup 2023: Australia vs Finland preview, players to look out for, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Tournament: Davis Cup Finals 2023
Fixture: Australia vs Finland
Date: November 24, 2023
Timing: 4 pm local time, 10 am ET, 8:30 pm IST, 3 pm GMT
Round: Semifinal
Venue: Martin Carpena Arena, Malaga, Spain
Category: Davis Cup
Surface: Indoor hardcourt
Live telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Amazon Prime Video | Canada - TSN
Davis Cup: Australia vs Finland preview
Australia and Finland will square off in the semifinals of the 2023 Davis Cup on Friday (November 24).
Australia staged a comeback to down the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. Tomas Machac's 6-4, 7-5 win over Jordan Thompson in the first singles tie put Czechia in the lead.
Alex de Minaur and Jiri Lehecka took the court for the next singles match. The Australian lost the opening set and trailed by a break in the second set, but turned the tables on his opponent to score a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5 victory.
It all then came down to the decisive rubber. Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden came up with the goods when it mattered to defeat Lehecka and Adam Pavlasek 6-4, 7-5 and reach the semis for the second year in a row.
Finland, meanwhile, continued their dream run with a stunning victory over defending champions Canada. Both teams were without their top players, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Emil Ruusuvuori.
Milos Raonic gave the Canadians a headstart with his 6-3, 7-5 win over Patrick Kaukovalta. Otto Virtanen leveled the proceedings for Finland as he handed Gabriel Diallo a 6-4, 7-5 loss.
Virtanen and Harri Heliovaara then got the better of Vasek Pospisil and Alexis Galarneau as they beat them 7-5, 6-3. Finland have thus reached the semifinals for the first time.
Davis Cup: Australia vs Finland players to look out for
All eyes will be on World No. 12 Alex de Minaur, the highest-ranked player in this tie. His experience will prove to be vital for the Australians as they aim to reach a second successive final here.
Emil Ruusuvuori, who missed Finland's previous tie due to an injury, could return to action for this tie. He'll take on de Minaur then, but if he isn't fully fit, Otto Virtanen will be up for the task.
Virtanen carried his team in the previous round as he shined in both singles and doubles. Grand Slam champions Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell will have the upper hand in the doubles tie, regardless of the pairing on the other side of the net.
Davis Cup: Australia vs Finland odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Davis Cup: Australia vs Finland prediction
Underdogs Finland will aim to continue their giant-killing spree at the Davis Cup. While de Minaur will be a thorn in their side, they have a shot at winning the second singles tie. But if they're able to down the 24-year-old, their path to victory clears up considerably.
While Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson are ranked higher than the singles players of the Finland squad, they're not famous for their consistency. Despite the gulf in their rankings, the contest will be a toss-up.
Ebden and Purcell will be favored to win the doubles tie, given their expertise in the field over the years. While Finland have remained unfazed so far and played with great heart, the Australians should be able to make it past them to reach the final.
Pick: Australia to win 2-1.