Tennis: NZ's Davis Cup promotion perfect timing, says captain Vos

Rubin Statham. Photo / Steven McNicholl

New Zealand's Davis Cup promotion could not have happened at a better time, says team captain Marcel Vos.

A 3-2 win over Thailand in the Asian country on Sunday lifted New Zealand out of group two of the Asia-Oceania region into group one. From there, the next step is aiming for a world group promotion-relegation tie late next year.

With India and Kazakhstan Asia-Oceania's representatives in the world group of 16, it leaves a tough but reasonably level playing field in the top regional contest.

New Zealand will be in with Japan, Uzbekistan, China, the Philippines, Chinese-Taipei and Australia - beaten 3-2 in their world promotion-relegation tie by Belgium in Cairns last night - when the next edition of the cup starts in March.

It is likely only one team will advance to the subsequent promotion-relegation tie, but Vos has been buoyed by the weekend's events.

"I know how happy the boys are to go up to group one, and this team deserves to be in there," Vos said from Bangkok yesterday.

New Zealand were last in the top regional group in 2004 and have been beaten in three finals since then.

It was appropriate that the win was sealed by Rubin Statham, who has spent his five years of Davis Cup tennis in the lower echelons.

Having led 2-0, New Zealand lost the doubles on Saturday in five sets, despite being two sets up. American-based Michael Venus, the world No 316, lost the first reverse singles, but Statham made sure of the tie, with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 win over Sanchai Ratiwatana.

"All credit to Rubin," Vos said of the No 348-ranked player.

"He prepared himself mentally all day to get out there and finish the job. He got tough and pulled it off."

The draw for next year's Davis Cup takes place this weekend, and Dutchman Vos, in his first campaign in charge, is relishing the prospect.

"It looks a good year to move up to group one," he said. "It's good to have Michael on board.

"Now we have depth and players. Rankings, as proven in the past, don't mean a whole lot.

"It's about where the tie is, the surface and getting the preparation right and having your guys healthy."

What happens now:

* The draw for next year's Davis Cup is made this weekend, with the first round to be played around mid-March.

* New Zealand will be in the Asia-Oceania group one for the first time since 2004.

* The winner of group one plays off for a spot in the World Group the following year.