Tennis: NZ down Sri Lanka in Davis Cup

Rubin Statham won the deciding match against Rajeev Rajapakse in straight sets. Photo / Steven McNicholl

New Zealand began the long trek back to top-level Asia-Oceania tennis with a 3-2 Davis Cup group two win over Sri Lanka in Colombo this weekend.

The New Zealanders won the opening singles matches, Rubin Statham grinding out a gruelling five-set win over Harshana Godamanna and Daniel King-Turner accounting for Rajeev Rajapakse in four.

However, Godamanna and Rajapakse had little difficulty in taking the doubles over Davis Cup debutant Marcus Daniell and King-Turner, winning 7-6(5) 6-4 6-3.

Body cramps hit King-Turner after being on court for nearly five hours in his reverse singles match against Godamanna, and he was forced to retire at 0-3 down in the fifth set. King-Turner was hospitalised for four hours, suffering from dehydration.

However, Statham had little difficulty in wrapping up the rubber with a 6-1 6-0 7-5 win over Rajapakse in two hours straight.

New Zealand now face Pakistan, who beat Hong Kong in the second round, at a venue yet to be decided.

Results

NZ 3 Sri Lanka 2
Rubin Statham (NZ) beat Harshana Godamanna (SRI) 6-4 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4, Dan King-Turner (NZ) beat Rajeev Rajapakse (SRI) 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-2, Godamanna and Rajapakse (SRI) beat King-Turner and Marcus Daniell (NZ) 7-6(5) 6-4 6-3, Godamanna (SRI) beat King-Turner (NZ) 4-6 4-6 7-5 7-6(4) 3-0 (ret), Statham (NZ) beat Rajapakse (SRI ) 6-1 6-0 7-5.

- NZPA