Austria's tennis aces are hoping for a surprise against Finland!

Austria's tennis aces are hoping for a surprise against Finland!

Austria's Davis Cup team faces an exciting challenge! The team will meet Finland in the Multiversum in Schwechat on January 31st and February 1st, as the Austrian Tennis Association (ÖTV) has announced. This is a crucial duel, as a win would represent the first step towards the coveted final tournament. If they win, either Hungary or Canada will be waiting in September. However, the encounter against Finland will not be a walk in the park, as the Austrian team will start the race without the convalescent Sebastian Ofner.

Finland is proving to be a tough opponent, with players like Otto Virtanen and Emil Ruusuvuori, both among the top 100 players in the ATP rankings. There is also Wimbledon doubles winner Harri Heliövaara. Austria, historically favored with a flawless record of 6-0 wins against Finland, is still in the underdog position, as krone.at reported. ÖTV sports director Jürgen Melzer said that preparation to select the best team is already underway as all players are ready to play on clay to defeat the Finns.

Finland's Davis Cup history

The Finnish Davis Cup team, led by captain Jarkko Nieminen, has a long history in tennis. She has been taking part in this prestigious competition since 1928 and has achieved notable successes, including reaching the semi-finals in 2023, as Wikipedia holds on. Their team colors are blue and white, and they have played a total of 143 duels in 79 years. With an ITF ranking of 13 and a formidable record, Finland has the potential to give Austria a tough run.