Match three: Finland come alive in doubles rubber

Harri Heliovaara and Otto Virtanen gave the Finnish team something to fight for in Manchester after they defeated British duo Dan Evans and Neal Skupski 7-6(4), 7-5 in the final rubber of the tie.

"Delighted with the singles," Lexus Great Britain Davis Cup Team Captain Leon Smith said. "Evo started us off, did a really good job. It’s not easy when you’re such a hot favourite to win that one. Then for Billy it’s a dream debut obviously. He beat a very good player in Otto who has a great record in Davis Cup and a huge game.

"We’re going to be disappointed to lose that doubles – that almost came back to bite us last year. I hope it doesn’t this time because that was really important."

Returning to court just a couple of hours after earning a win against Eero Vasa in the singles, Evans and Skupski joined forces once again in the hopes of re-creating doubles delight in Manchester.

Little separated the pairs in the opener as they found their way to a first set tie-break where Finland made the quicker start. Heliovaara and Virtanen sprinted ahead to a 5-1 lead before eventually seeing out the first set with ease.

Heading into the second and Evans and Skupski looked to produce the perfect response to dropping the set as they found themselves with break points on the opening game of the second. After pulling back to deuce five times, the Finns eventually escaped unscathed and the quest for a first break of the match continued.

With both teams battling toe-to-toe and giving little away on serve, we looked to be heading towards a second successive tie-break, but Heliovaara and Virtanen.

A late surge saw them dig up three match points as the all-British pair clung on, but an inch-perfect lob from Virtanen left Skupski scrambling to return within the court before it eventually landed wide to secure Finland’s first win of the Group Stages in Manchester.

Match two: Harris enjoys dream debut to secure tie for GB

Billy Harris had a debut to remember on his first match for Great Britain at the Davis Cup as he cruised to a 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Finland’s Otto Virtanen to secure the tie victory for the Brits.

“Unbelievable atmosphere out here," Harris beamed in his post-match interview. "The home crowd pulled me through in the end when it was tight. It made a big difference so thank you all.

“I think this has just topped it for me (highlights of the year). We play week in and week out for ourselves but first time playing for my country and it was a great start.”

Despite being his Davis Cup debut, the world No.101 showed little signs of nerves in the opening stages of match. The Brit’s serve is undoubtedly one of his biggest weapons and today was no different, as he dominated the points on his service games - landing a remarkable 77% of first serves and winning 82% (40/49) of points behind it across the match.

After a couple of unforced errors leaked off Virtanen’s racket, Harris was presented with two break points at 2-2, but he needed just one to get his breakthrough, after the Finnish star returned a weak backhand slice into the net. Virtanen threatened to break back immediately, but Harris batted away any danger to hold firm before going on to seal the opening set with an ace.

The Briton continued to mount the pressure on the world No.109 early in the second, clinching an 3-1 lead thanks to a double fault from Virtanen on break point. But just when the 29-year-old caught a glimpse of the finish line, Virtanen woke up from the brink of defeat to break back and draw level.

With the scoreboard locked at 6-6, we headed into a tie-break, where Virtanen made a confident start by throwing down three consecutive aces. However, Harris fought to pull the momentum back in his direction - luring the Finn into uncomfortable, lengthy exchanges from the baseline, where he launched a forehand into the net to gift the Brit three match points.

After Virtanen saved one with a sublime forehand down the line, Harris slammed a serve out wide which the Finn sent long to secure a valiant win on debut and the tie for his country.

Match one: Evans marks 26th Davis Cup tie with straight sets win

Great Britain took an early advantage against 2023 semi-finalists Finland after the experienced Evans clocked a 7-6(3), 6-2 victory over Eero Vasa.

"I found it tough for quite a long time to get the ball-striking there," Evans said in his on-court interview. "He did a great job of rushing me but I started to play a bit better in the second and then really well at the end.

Today marked the beginning of Evans’ 26^th Davis Cup tie, which now sees him rise to joint second on the all-time list for most ties played for Great Britain, alongside Mike Sangster.

In the first meeting between the two, it was the Finnish world No.703 who looked to put the pressure on the Brit from the off, as Evans was forced to save two break points on his opening service game.

From then on, Evans tightened up on his service game, winning 92% (33/36) of points off his first serve and bringing up four break point opportunities across the set, including three set points at 6-5.

Evans – who has clinched an impressive 16 wins for his country – got off to a flying start in the tie-break as he raced ahead to a 6-1 lead, before securing the set thanks to a double fault from Vasa.

Fuelled with energy from the home crowd at the AO Arena in Manchester, Evans picked up where he left off in the second as he looked to keep his foot on the accelerator. The Brit channelled all his experience of competing at the top flight of the sport to gradually wear the Finn down. Up a double break to the good, Evans placed Great Britain on the cusp of taking a 1-0 lead as he eventually closed out the win in an hour and 39 minutes.

Davis Cup Group D standings