Hong Kong, China came up short in its bid to secure a first tennis Davis Cup World Group I berth in over three decades, losing both matches against Finland at Victoria Park on Sunday.

The 3-1 defeat in the World Group I playoffs means the SAR will compete in World Group II in September.

Having split Saturday's singles matches, Hong Kong, China and top-seeded Finland battled in Sunday's doubles encounter seeking the upper hand in the playoffs, with Coleman Wong and Nicholas Cheng taking on Patrik Niklas-Salminen and Otto Virtanen.

The Finnish pair came away 6-4, 7-5 winners.

Wong then played Virtanen in reverse singles trying to keep the SAR's hopes alive.

Virtanen, who's ranked 116th in the world and had defeated Cheng on Saturday, got the better of the SAR's top-ranked player, winning 7-5, 6-2 to wrap up victory for Finland.