Finland at the 2001 Federation Cup

Finland started participating in the tournament from 1968 but its best performance came in the year 1993 after they reached the World Group quarterfinals. Finland defeat Japan 2-1 to enter the World Group quarterfinals but fell to Australia 0-3. Finland Fed Cup team is administered by the Suomen Tennisliitto. The 2001 Federation Cup was the 39th edition of the much coveted title. Emma Laine, Essi Laine, K. Lampinen and C. Bjornstrom represented Finland in the 2001 Federation Cup. Finland at the 2001 Federation Cup displayed mix performance.

Finland at the 2001 Federation Cup participated in the tournament from Euro – Africa zone and was placed in Group 2 along with Algeria, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Egypt, Georgia, Ireland, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia and Turkey. Finland suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Portugal in the opening round robin tie at Belek – Antalya. They went down by 1-2. Finland bounced back in the tournament to record a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the second round robin tie. Then they faced Algeria in the last round robin tie. In form Finland’s players gave their country second victory in the tournament beating Algeria 3-0. But two victories proved insufficient for Finland to enter the knock out round.

Finland at the 2001 Federation Cup put on an impressive performance but failed to secure knock out round place. Finland had to win all the round robin ties to forge ahead in the tournament. They had to face defeat in the opening tie against Portugal which cost them badly. Their hard earn victories over Morocco and Algeria could only give them hopes to perform better in the next tournament.