Tennis: NZ sweeps through tie

The New Zealand Davis Cup team won their first-round Asia/Oceania Group II contest against Malaysia 5-0 in an efficient and business-like way at the Albany Tennis Park yesterday.

However, despite not dropping a set in the whole tie the Kiwi players could still do with more of a hit-out in preparation for the next two months where they play the ASB Pro Circuit around New Zealand and then four more Futures events in Korea. All in a bid to gain ATP ranking points and improve their standing internationally.

After winning the tie on Saturday with a straight-set drubbing in doubles by GD Jones and Dan King-Turner, it was up to Jones and Adam Thompson to finish off the tie without dropping a set on Sunday. They duly did so, barely breaking the hour mark for each of their matches. Jones put away his opponent, Adam Jaya 6-3, 6-3 in one hour four minutes and then Adam Thompson had his first match of the tie in the same time, however the scoreline was 6-0, 6-2 against Abd-Hazli Bin.

Earlier in the tie, Rubin Statham easily won his singles match on day one, while King-Turner was forced to compete for a few games in his straight-set victory over the Malaysian No 1. Captain James Greenhalgh said: "We're pleased to have won, especially not having dropped a set. I thought everyone did their job and that's all you can ask for. It's now on to the next tie in July."

New Zealand now face the tougher task of either Indonesia or Kuwait in the next round in New Plymouth on July 10-12. Indonesia lead Kuwait 2-1 going into the reverse singles.