By TERRY MADDAFORD
Mark Nielsen should have few problems giving New Zealand a winning start in their Asia/Oceania group one tie against Pakistan at the Waikato Tennis Centre today.
The New Zealand No 1 will meet Pakistan No 2 Aqeel Khan in the opening rubber in Hamilton.
Khan, who injured an ankle this week on the hard Plexipave courts, says he is 100 per cent fit.
He will need to be, to have any chance of testing Nielsen.
In the second match today, Alistair Hunt faces Pakistani No 1 Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi.
Nielsen knows little about Khan, who does not play on the ATP Tour, but is his country's national champion.
"It gives me some confidence that he has not played on the tour," Nielsen said," but that also means I will have to be a little wary of him."
The second match promises plenty. At 22, Qureshi is eight years younger than Hunt and far less experienced, which in the end could be the difference.
Hunt, like Nielsen, has impressed at practice this week and is primed for what could be his last cup tie.
Always confident, Qureshi was talking up his chances.
"I believe I can beat Hunt.
"He has been off the international circuit for a couple of years. He was very good at doubles, but has not played five-set matches for a long time."
The same four players were named for tomorrow's doubles, although both camps may make changes.
New Zealand would like to wrap it up 3-0 tomorrow and give other squad members, probably James Shortall and Robbie Cheyne, the chance to play Sunday's reverse singles.
The winners meet either India or Japan in Delhi in the Asia/Oceania zone final in April, with the winners there progressing to the world group.
Tennis: Nielsen wary of unknown
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