Tennis: Billy Harris wins on Davis Cup debut

Former Island pro beats Finland's Otto Virtanen in straight sets

Isle of Man pro tennis star Billy Harris has taken victory on his Davis Cup debut for Great Britain this afternoon (11 September).

The former Albany Lawn and Castletown Lawn player has beaten Finland's Otto Virtanen in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) at the AO Arena in Manchester.

It means Harris and GB have taken victory over Finland in their opening group stage match of the competition with a match to spare after Dan Evans won the opening tie between the nations earlier on.

The former Island competitor was second on for Leon Smith's British team following Evans taking an opening win over Eero Vasa earlier in the day.

Harris managed the only break point as he went on to secure a clinical first set whilst also at one stage fighting off two break-back points from Virtanen.

Despite a spirited start to the second by Virtanen, Harris struck with his second break of the match in the third game to take an early advantage.

But the Finn got his own break of serve to tie up the set later on at 4-4 as the pair went neck-and-neck into a tie-break with Harris breaking the improving Virtanen serve once more on his way to taking the break 7-4.

Next up for Harris and Great Britain will be the second group stage game against Argentina on Friday (13 September) before the final group contest against Canada on Sunday (15 September).

Currently Harris is continuing to extend his career-best ATP rankings, currently residing at 101st in the men's world standings going into this week.