(Málaga) Canada’s Davis Cup defense ended Tuesday following a loss to Finland in the quarterfinals.

Harri Heliovaara and Otto Virtanen defeated Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 6-3 in the final doubles match of the showdown.

The Canadians were more erratic on serve than their rivals, committing six double faults and allowing 14 break points. The Finns broke the Canadians’ serve three times and suffered only one break.

Finland will face the Czech Republic or Australia in the semi-finals on Friday. The final will take place on Sunday.

Canada caused a shockwave by winning the prestigious team competition last year, eliminating Germany, Italy and Australia in turn in the finals in Malaga.

This time, Canada surrendered in the first phase of the finals.

The day had started well for the representatives of the maple leaf. Milos Raonic gave Canada a 1-0 lead, after scoring a quick 6-3, 7-5 victory against Patrick Kaukovalta.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ontario, took just one hour and seven minutes to defeat his opponent.

“I focused on my serve and created a few opportunities,” Raonic said. I tried to avoid getting into trouble, and it worked well. »

Raonic, 318^e player in the world, was much more incisive than Kaukovalta in serving: he dominated the aces column 18-11, and won 97% of the points with his first ball. The power hitter also converted two of his five break points against 715^e player in the world, who did not obtain the slightest break chance during the match. The representative of the maple leaf also managed a total of 16 winning shots, compared to only five for the Finn.

“You appreciate these moments a lot more when you know there aren’t many more to come,” said Raonic, who is 32 and competed in the Davis Cup for the first time in 2010.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for Tennis Canada indicated before the start of the duel that Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime, who confirmed the country’s triumph against Australia in the final of the competition last year, is bored by “lower body” discomfort.

Auger-Aliassime is the only Canadian player in the world top 100 in singles present in Malaga, by virtue of his 29^e rank.

Montreal’s Gabriel Diallo took over and lost 6-4, 7-5 to Virtanen in the second singles match.

Diallo, 139^e in the world, could have ensured Canada’s victory in this best-of-three duel against Virtanen, 171^e. The Finn, however, proved to be more effective on serve, as evidenced by his 14 aces – compared to only two for Diallo.

The 22-year-old Quebecer was also unable to convert his only break point against Virtanen. The latter was slightly more opportunistic, with two breaks in five opportunities during the match which lasted an hour and 33 minutes on the cement of the Martin Carpena Arena.