Jack Draper was given a rest for Great Britain’s opening Davis Cup tie after his grueling US Open semi-final defeat just four days prior. Stepping in for Draper, debutant Billy Harris helped the team secure a 2-1 win against Finland in Manchester.
Harris, 29, clinched a 6-4, 7-6 (4) victory over Finland’s Otto Virtanen, showcasing his recent rise in the tennis world. Draper, still recovering from his semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner in New York, is being preserved for tougher ties against Argentina and Canada later in the week.
Virtanen, ranked just nine places below Harris, pushed hard to force a third set, but Harris held his nerve to win the tie-break, ensuring Great Britain’s successful start to the group stage.
