KEY POINTS:
Rubin Statham gave New Zealand the lead when he beat Yan Bai in the first singles match of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania group 2 final in New Plymouth today.
Bai, the Chinese No 1, took the first set 6-4 but Statham came back to win the next three 6-2 6-4 6-2.
Statham fell awkwardly and appeared to injure his thumb late in the match but said: "It's not broken - at least I can move it."
The second singles match being played is between New Zealand No 1 Dan King-Turner and Chinese No 2 Peng Sun.
- NZPA
