Tennis: Uzbekistan lead NZ in Davis Cup tie

Artem Sitak. Photo / Steven McNicholl

New Zealand face an uphill battle in their Davis Cup tie after losing the first singles rubber in Namangan today.

New Zealand No.1 Artem Sitak was downed 0-6 3-6 1-6 by Farrukh Dustov in the Asia/Oceania group one match.

Russia-born Sitak was making his debut for New Zealand, but could not live with the world No.284 on the clay at the Pahlavon Sport Complex.

The second singles match on the opening day pits Rubin Statham, ranked 496 in the world, against world No.54 Denis Istomin.

- NZPA