The long trail back to top-level Asia-Oceania tennis begins
again for New Zealand tennis today when the Davis Cup team
tackles Sri Lanka in Colombo.
The group two, first-round tie should be easily won by an
experienced New Zealand side which includes one newcomer in
debutant Marcus Daniell - named ahead of GD Jones from the
team that lost the group two final 4-1 to the Philippines in
Manila last September.
It is the second straight year New Zealand have bowed out in
the group two final -- they succumbed to China in 20078 --
and captain Marcel Vos will hope this year's side can go one
step better and re-enter the top division for the first time
since 2004.
Entering their sixth year of Davis Cup action, New Zealand
are built around experienced singles exponents Rubin Statham
and Daniel King-Turner - both ranked inside the world top 300
- while Statham's brother Oliver may be employed on the clay
courts of the tiny Sri Lanka Tennis Association, a venue that
seats just 200 spectators.
Sri Lanka were promoted from group three last year and their
best players, Harshana Godamanna and Rajeev Rajapakse, don't
have world rankings so shouldn't provide too many problems
for the New Zealanders unless the hot, clammy conditions get
a real grip on the visitors.
The winners of the tie will face Pakistan or Hong Kong in the
second round.
The other side of the group two draw features Thailand,
Pacific Oceania, Indonesia and Malaysia.
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