18 Jul 2015

New Zealand win Davis Cup doubles

6:41 pm on 18 July 2015

The New Zealand Davis Cup team have beaten India in the doubles at Christchurch to take a 2-1 lead in the tie.

Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak on Davis Cup duty

Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak on Davis Cup duty Photo: Photosport

Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak defeated the world number 10 pair of Saketh Mynani and Rohan Bopanna in straight sets, 6-3 7-6(1) 6-3.

"We worked well as a team. It was a great match for us," said Sitak "whatever they gave us we were able to answer."

"There was a pressure situation in the second set on my serve," said Daniell who found himself down break points early on in the set.

"It was a potential turning point in the match and we had to hit some great shots to comeback to hold serve otherwise we would have been down 1-3. It was a great game to get back in the match."

The Indian captain Anand Amritraj expressed displeasure at the result and was almost shocked at how the score favoured the home team.

"I'm very disappointed at the loss and the scoreline. I did not think it would be like that at all. I hadn't seen the New Zealand pair play. They were a good team, but we are disappointed and not happy at all with the result. It is not a great place to be, but we still have a chance to win. There are two matches remaining and we can win them," said Amritraj.

At times Bopana was able to show his class during the match as the Wimbledon doubles semifinalist from just over a week ago played some remarkable shots while his partner served big, however the Kiwis were up to the task.

New Zealand is in a good position going into the final day of the Asia/Oceania Group One Davis Cup final at Wilding Stadium.

On day one, the matches were shared as Michael Venus beat Somdev Devvarman in five sets and Rubin Statham lost to Yuki Bhambri in straight sets.

The reverse singles now have Statham against Devvarman starting at 2pm on Sunday, with Venus against Bhambri as the fifth match if required.