At Davis Cup, it was clear how Jannik Sinner's all-time great individual 2024 has inspired his compatriots

Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin have put Australia back into the Davis Cup final for a second straight year after winning their singles matches in a 2-0 victory over Finland.

ByAssociated Press

Published Nov 24, 2023

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MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Alex de Miñaur and Alexei Popyrin put Australia back into the Davis Cup final for a second straight year after winning their singles matches in a 2-0 victory over Finland on Friday.

Popyrin gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the semifinal match after beating Otto Virtanen 7-6 (5), 6-2. De Miñaur then finished off Finland by beating Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4, 6-3.

Novak Djokovic’s Serbia will face Jannik Sinner's Italy on Saturday in the other semifinal match on the indoor hard court at Martin Carpena arena in Malaga, Spain.

Popyrin edged Virtanen in the first set, saving a set point when trailing 6-5 and forcing a tiebreaker that he clinched when his opponent slapped a forehand long.

Virtanen was Finland's hero in its

upset of defending champion Canada on Tuesday, winning both his singles and doubles matches. But his serve let him down against Popyrin in the second set when his fifth double-fault cost him a break.

Popyrin gives Australia a 1-0 lead over Finland in Davis Cup semifinals

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"(That was) probably the biggest win of my career so far," Popyrin said. "To win a match that means so much for us is an honor and something I will never forget."

De Miñaur converted five of 18 break chances against Ruusuvuori. He ended the match by landing a backhand winner on the sideline.

Lleyton Hewitt's Australia is seeking a second consecutive final. Australia has the second-most Davis Cup titles, with 28 to 32 for the United States, but its last success came in 2003.

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AP Tennis:

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