Netherlands vs Finland Preview & Prediction | 2023 Davis Cup Finals | Group Stage
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THE FACTS
When is Netherlands vs Finland on and what time does it start? Netherlands vs Finland will take place on Tuesday 12th September, 2023 – not before 12:00 (UK)
Where is Netherlands vs Finland taking place? Netherlands vs Finland will take place at Arena Gripe Sports Centre in Split, Croatia
What surface is Netherlands vs Finland being played on? Netherlands vs Finland will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Netherlands vs Finland? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Netherlands vs Finland
Where can I watch Netherlands vs Finland? All matches can be watched on Tennis Channel International’s Pay TV, while all Great Britain matches will be televised and streamed on BBC platforms
THE PREDICTION
The Netherlands enjoyed a surprising run to the Davis Cup Finals last summer off the back of some incredible work by Botic van de Zandschulp and they look even stronger one year on, with new first option Tallon Griekspoor in the form of his career. The 27-year-old set a career-high ATP world ranking of 24th late last month off the back of a run to the Washington Open final, where he finished runner-up for the first time after winning his first two finals at the Pune Open and Libema Open this year. Van de Zandschulp, also 27, has been in the doldrums over the summer but he is likely to improve considerably this week with the memory of his efforts playing internationally perhaps the spark he needs.
World number 57 Emil Ruusuvuori is far better than his current deflated ranking suggests but he has yet to maintain his best level on tour long enough to be considered a serious threat at a tournament. The Finn is a strong had-courter who only recently stunned Andrey Rublev in three sets at the Cincinnati Masters but his inconsistency has been increasingly concerning over the past 12 months. 22-year-old Otto Virtanen set a career-high ATP world ranking of 109th earlier this season and he recently qualified for his Grand Slam debut at the US Open, taking Tomas Martin Etcheverry to five sets before defeat. Two Challenger titles claimed on indoor hardcourts this season make the youngster a considerable dark horse in some of his matches this week.
This tie could end up a lot closer than it first appears, with Emil Ruusuvuori and Otto Virtanen well capable of winning their respective ties as underdogs with considerable talent in these conditions. It would take off days from Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp but the latter, especially, has endured plenty of those since finishing runner-up at the Munich Open back in April. Virtanen will faces Van de Zandschulp first and the Finn will be desperate to impress in this biggest international match of his young career, with his qualifying run in New York enough to suggest sets could go both ways. Griekspoor is likelier to find a way past Ruusuvuori in his current form but that match looks likely to see .sets go both ways too in what could end up a proper marathon day in Split. The Netherlands can rest assured that the tie is very much in their hands if it comes to a doubles decider as their esteemed pair of Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop (who may well make way for one of the two singles players) should have little trouble ousting Finland’s pair. Back the Netherlands to win the tie, with 2-1 probably the likelier scoreline.
