-
Rubin Statham - Source: Photosport
New Zealand are in a tough position going into day two of their
Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I Round I tie against Uzbekistan at
the TECT Arena in Tauranga after losing the first two singles
matches.
In day ones first match Kiwi No. 2 Rubin Statham lost to world No.
58 Denis Istomin 6-1 6-1 6-3 with Istomin showing all the
experience of regularly playing top 20 opponents displaying
powerful serves and groundstrokes winners, almost at will.
Statham did manage to break Istomin early in the third set and win
two further games, but it proved to be a short lived revival as he
was broken on his serve to love and the game ended with a backhand
volley by Istomin into an open court.
In the second rubber New Zealand No. 1 Michael Venus went down 3-6
6-1 6-2 6-2 to Uzbek No. 2 Farrukh Dustov, in a contest which was
initially promising for the local crowd and the home team.
A disappointed Venus tried to make the best of the situation
afterwards, but was clearly frustrated after he started so
well.
It was a good first set and then it just went downhill from there.
I just made too many mistakes. You just cant miss that many balls.
I had too many balls that I just made errors on. I just made too
mistakes at the end of the day, said Venus.
When it comes to winning the doubles and keeping the tie alive with
partner, Dan King-Turner, he was aiming for the positives.
Well just take it one match at a time. Well play the doubles hard
tomorrow and just go from there. You never know what can happen.
Dan and I are pretty pleased with how we are going. Were doing well
in doubles.
The big-serving Venus did play well in the first set of his match
stunning the Uzbek and looking every part of a winner, however, it
was Dustov who had the best serving over the remainder of the match
winning his serve with relative ease, while Venus started to
struggle.
Non-playing team captain, Marcel Vos was straight-up with his
appraisal of the days play.
Its disappointing obviously, said Vos. Istomin came out fired up
and that put us on the back foot. Mike (Venus) came out strong, but
he couldnt keep that up and his opponent served better. I think we
had a good plan which worked well in the first set for Mike. Dustov
played better from then on and got to play his game. He served well
and it caused problems.
Regarding the vital doubles ties Vos said his players have still
got some fight in them and he expected them to be ready to try and
keep the tie alive.
Ive never liked losing. Im disappointed. Weve got five matches and
were going to talk about it as a team. Our guys will go hard
tomorrow in doubles, said Vos.
In Saturday's doubles Venus and Dan King-Turner will play Dustov
and Istomin at 3pm.
It's a match that New Zealand must win to stay in the tie,
otherwise both of Sunday's reverse singles matches are dead
rubbers.
