KEY POINTS:
James Greenhalgh last night defended his decision to omit New Zealand's best-ranked player from the opening Davis Cup singles matches against the Philippines yesterday.
With world No 480 Dan King-Turner languishing on the sidelines, non-playing captain Greenhalgh picked No 668 Simon Rea and No 749 Rubin Statham for the first-day Asia-Oceania stoush on artificial grass at the leafy Parnell club in Auckland.
It was a big call, which backfired badly as both were dumped in straight sets. Statham, 19, lost 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to the Philippines' No 1, the capable Cecil Mamiit, who is ranked No 199, before lefthander Rea was whipped 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 by unheralded Eric Taino.
New Zealand must win the doubles today or the second-round tie - and the chance of moving up to the region's group one - will be lost.
But Greenhalgh had no regrets about his choice of Statham, who was playing his first live singles rubber, ahead of King-Turner. The fourth team member, rookie Matt Simpson, was never a realistic singles contender.
"I've had a chance to watch all four guys in practice and taking everything into account I picked the guys to play on form, who I thought were the best to get the job done," Greenhalgh said.
"I think I made the right decision, but at the end of the day our guys weren't good enough to win."
Statham battled for 2h 9m. He broke former world No 72 Mamiit's serve twice but never got his nose in front.
His own serve was broken five times and he struggled to avoid unforced errors against a steadier, vastly more experienced opponent.
Rea was quickly two sets down before an iffy umpiring decision cost him the chance of taking the match to a fourth set. The match was all over in 1h 51min.
The intimate setting was ideal for the tie. The spectators came, but New Zealand could not deliver. The doubles today, with King-Turner belatedly due to get on court with Rea, will be difficult.
"We've just got to try and keep our heads up and be positive. We're not writing this tie off just yet," Greenhalgh added.
* Shona Lee has replaced Ellen Barry in the New Zealand Fed Cup team because Barry is recovering only slowly from a wrist injury.
Lee, 18 and ranked at 604 in the world, joins Leanne Baker, Sacha Jones and Di Hollands in the New Zealand team, which will compete in the Asia/Oceania Group 1 and 2 tournament at Wilding Park in Christchurch on April 18-24.
