USA vs Finland Preview & Prediction | 2023 Davis Cup Finals | Group Stage
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THE FACTS
When is USA vs Finland on and what time does it start? USA vs Finland will take place on Saturday 16th September, 2023 – not before 12:00 (UK)
Where is USA vs Finland taking place? USA vs Finland will take place at Arena Gripe, Sports Centre in Spilt, Croatia
What surface is USA vs Finland being played on? USA vs Finland will take place on an indoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for USA vs Finland? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for USA vs Finland
Where can I watch USA 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
Group D is still very much alive on Day 5 with all eight results reading 2-1 so far. The USA brought one of the highest-ranked sides to the Group Stages but world number 11 Frances Tiafoe has struggled as first option, losing both of his matches to Tallon Griekspoor and Borna Gojo. The 25-year-old should be able to turn the tide today but the USA are still in with the best chance of qualifying in large part down to their doubles pairing of world number one Austin Krajicek and US Open champion Rajeev Ram with two wins from two helping them to a close victory over Croatia and valuable point in defeat to the Netherlands. World number 14 Tommy Paul’s straight-sets defeat to an out-of-sorts Botic van de Zandschulp on Thursday makes captain Bob Bryan’s job very difficult in this crucial last tie.
Finland have been one of the biggest over-performers of the Davis Cup group stages this week, with world number 125 Otto Virtanen the star. The 22-year-old came back from a set down to beat fellow youngster Dino Prizmic on Friday to set the stage for an incredible win 2-1 over hosts Croatia and he claimed one of the biggest results of his career against Van de Zandschulp for a crucial point in their opening defeat to the Netherlands. First option Emil Ruusuvuori stepped up when it counter to beat Croatia’s favoured sun Borna Gojo in straight sets and that took the pressure off of Harri Heliovaara and Patrik Niklas-Salminen as one of the weaker doubles partnerships in the competition.
USA captain Bob Bryan will likely keep his faith in Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul for these two winnable singles matches as he can all-but count on his exceptional doubles pairing of Krajicek and Ram to anchor the tie to victory. Notably, Emil Ruusuvuori has beaten Tiafoe in both of their previous encounters to lead 2-0 and their first match came indoors at the Stockholm Open almost a year ago. Otto Virtanen should not be underestimated, either, after winning both of his matches in an hugely impressive campaign but Tommy Paul should improve on his defeat to take the Americans 1-0 up. Back the USA to have too much to lose this tie but 2-1 seems likelier than 3-0.
