Tennis: Job ahead of NZ in Davis Cup tie

New Zealand must come from behind to win the Asia-Oceania group two Davis Cup tennis semifinal against Pakistan at Hawera.

After the opening singles were shared 1-1, Pakistan grabbed the initiative as Aisam Qureshi and Aqeel Khan beat Marcus Daniell and Michael Venus 7-6 6-3 6-2 yesterday.

It gave Pakistan an important 2-1 lead entering the reverse singles today.

The inexperienced New Zealanders - Venus is playing his first Cup tie and Daniel boasts only a few more appearances at this level - forced a tiebreak in the first set but could not sustain the pressure as the Pakistanis prevailed 8-6.

Qureshi, in particular, stepped up the pace and showed the sort of form which carried him into the doubles quarter-finals at Wimbledon this month.

The unorthodox Khan also played one of his best matches for his country as Pakistan twice broke the New Zealanders' serve in the second set before easily winning the third.

Today's reverse singles will pit New Zealand No 1 Rubin Statham against Qureshi before Venus plays Khan.

"We always knew it was going to be tough," New Zealand team captain Marcel Vos said. "We were zero for nine in the break points in the first set, but we just couldn't break them.

"It was a lot closer than the score suggests. My boys played good today.

"Their number two, Khan, played well today. He admitted it was his best match in 10 years."

Vos remains bullish about his side's chances today: "This tie can go either way still.

"We know what we have to do and think we can still do it. Rubin is playing well and will have to take on Qureshi and he can do that. We are favourite to win the second singles if it goes that far.

"I'd rather have Rubin in than anyone else. He's got the experience and the record."

Statham opened the tie yesterday by beating Khan in straight sets while Venus lost to Qureshi in five sets, dropping the last 13-15 after more than four hours on court.

- NZPA