The era of Canada as the Davis Cup tennis champion ended at the hands of Finland, which caused a major upset on the opening day of the quarterfinals in Malaga yesterday, Tuesday.

With the support of thousands of Finnish fans, Otto Virtanen and Harry Heliövaara defeated Vasek Pospisil and Alexis Galarneau 7-5 and 6-3 to qualify Finland to the semifinals for the first time.

Milos Raonic, who returned to Davis Cup competition for the first time in five years, had given Canada the defending champion a perfect start by beating the Finnish Patrick Kaukovalta 6-3 and 7-5 after delivering 18 aces.

Both teams suffered injuries as Canada's highest-ranked player Félix Auger-Aliassime was unable to take the court, while Finland's number one player Emil Ruusuvuori was sidelined due to injury.

But Virtanen, ranked 171st in the world, rose to the occasion with his team with an impressive win over 22-year-old Gabriel Diallo to push the match towards a tie before the decisive doubles match.

Virtanen delivered another stunning performance as Canada's hopes dwindled due to Pospisil's injury, who continued the fight.

A service break in the eighth game of the second set was enough to secure Finland's victory and set up a date later this week against the Czech Republic or Australia, last year's runner-up.

Canada was looking to retain the title they won against Australia last year in Malaga, and also to give the country a chance to sweep the tennis team titles this year after the women's team won the Billie Jean King Cup, but their efforts were unsuccessful.