Nick Lester
Former British tennis player

That was some steely stuff from the Brit, just putting pressure on Virtanen who, when forced to defend, just isn't quite as confident.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

Great stuff from Billy Harris, great defence. Frustration for Virtanen and a vital hold [for Harris] to stay in the set, having led 4-2, under threat, but he passed the test.

We haven't seen much in the way of emotion from Billy Harris during this match but the Brit is trying to fire himself up as he finds himself under pressure on serve.

He fist pumps after Otto Virtanen misses the forehand for 30-30 then finds a big serve for game point and secures a vital hold as the Finn fires into the net.

Virtanen throws his racquet in frustration, he saw an opportunity there.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

This match has taken quite a turn. Otto Virtanen looked on the cusp of defeat and suddenly it's Billy Harris serving to save set two at 4-5.

Image source, Getty Images

Otto Virtanen looked down and out but all of a sudden it is Billy Harris who must serve to stay in the second set.

The Finn consolidates his break with an important hold.

Leon Smith is trying to provide some words of wisdom to his debutant.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

And there it is. Suddenly there's a different vibe around this match and look at the reaction from Virtanen, the first real positivity we've seen. The double fist pump, he's right back in the picture in the blink of an eye having been so close to defeat just now.

From the brink of defeat to parity.

Otto Virtanen dictates the point from the baseline and Billy Harris can only find the net with his forehand.

That hold in the last game has proved pivotal and the Finn now looks in business in this second set.

Now then, nerves creeping in for Billy Harris? He double faults for 15-30. We haven't seen many of those.

He sails his return beyond the baseline and suddenly Otto Virtanen has two break points and two opportunities to get back on level terms in this second set.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

And that's good serving [from Virtanen] to get himself out of another deep hole. Three break points saved, virtual match points you'd have thought the way Billy Harris is serving. With a double break advantage, it was nearly done.

Once again it is Otto Virtanen's serving that gets him out of trouble and a mistake from Billy Harris which gives him game point.

The Finn produces a big first serve to take an important hold where he had to save three break points.

Image source, Getty Images

This is the opening tie for GB and Finland, but the action began yesterday for Canada and Argentina in Manchester.

Canada, who were Davis Cup champions in 2022, started their Finals campaign with a 2-1 victory in Group D thanks to singles wins for Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Argentina put a point on the board with a doubles victory for Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni against Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil.

Ties are under way globally, with Belgium beating the Netherlands 2-1 in Group A in Bologna, Italy, while Australia won by the same margin against France in Valencia, Spain, in Group B.

In Zhuhai, China, there were two 3-0 wins in Group C as Germany rolled past Slovakia and the United States won three deciding-set tie-breaks to overcome Chile - with Reilly Opelka, Brandon Nakashima and Olympic silver medallists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram holding their nerve.

Otto Virtanen saves both break points with a bit of decent serving but misses the forehand at the net to hand Billy Harris a third opportunity.

Otto Virtanen is in a spot of bother again here.

Billy Harris brings up two break points after a bit of sloppy play from the Finn. This would surely put the match out of sight.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

The backhand was completely mistimed [from Virtanen], another impressive hold from Harris. The question was asked there at 15-30 and he's responded in composed fashion once again. He's edging ever closer to something special here. Hands on hips, Virtanen, still calm.

Image source, Getty Images

Nick Lester
Former British tennis player

Billy Harris played 20 grass-court matches this summer. Seven of those matches, he wasn't broken and then another three, he only lost serve once.

Billy Harris offers Otto Virtanen an opening as he goes 15-30 behind but the Finn sails his return out of court for 30-30 then follows up with a skewed forehand down the line which goes just wide.

Another mistake, a backhand into the net, secures the hold for Harris.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

Well that was a lot more convincing from Virtanen and it is just the one break deficit, of course. Eminently retrievable, more of that required from him, but Great Britain are a set and a break up.

Better from Otto Virtanen who takes the hold to 15.

But he still trails by a set and a break with plenty to do here.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

Another comfortable hold. What a position Billy Harris has got himself into here.

Leon Smith quite understated in his reaction, just a calm, little round of applause and that is the key now from Harris' point of view, not to get ahead of himself, not to look at the scoreboard, just keep doing what he's doing, if he does, he'll be celebrating victory, barring something extraordinary.

How much fight has Otto Virtanen got in him?

Billy Harris is looking really solid here. Cool, calm and collected as he consolidates the break with a hold to 15.

There may have been a few nerves among British fans with Jack Draper missing from today's line-up but Leon Smith's gamble seems to have paid off so far.

Harris won't want to get ahead of himself, though.