Injury forces King-Turner out of Davis Cup side

New Zealand suffered an early setback in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania group two tennis final against the Philippines.

The hosts secured an early 1-0 lead in Manila when New Zealand No 1 Dan King-Turner was forced to retire in the opening singles match against Treat Conrad Huey.

King-Turner trailed 4-6 7-6 0-6 when he left the court after pulling a calf muscle in the steamy heat of the Philippines capital.

The injury flared in the opening few games of the third set before he took a medical time out.

King-Turner carried on but his movement was heavily restricted and as temperatures soared above 30degC his problems compounded when he was troubled by cramp.

The New Zealander had held his own before injury struck, the first set being decided in Huey's favour after one service break.

The second set took more than one hour with both players holding serve to 6-6 before King-Turner prevailed 7-5 in the tiebreak.

The second singles contest is between Rubin Statham and Philippines No 1 Cecil Mamiit.

Result:-

Philippines 1 New Zealand 0

Treat Conrad Huey (Philippines) bt Dan King-Turner (NZ) 6-4 6-7 6-0 retired.

- NZPA