Rubin Statham has been selected as New Zealand's second singles player in the Asia-Oceania Group 1 Davis Cup tennis tie against Uzbekistan starting today in Tauranga.
Statham, who's ranked 554 in the world will play Uzbekistan top seed Denis Istomin who's almost 500 places above him at 58.
Statham has been named ahead of Artem Sitak who has the better world ranking but less experience in Davis Cup.
The New Zealand number one Michael Venus will play Uzbek number two Farrukh Dustov.
In Saturday's doubles New Zealand has chosen Venus and Dan King-Turner who had success at this year's Heineken Open and at a Challenger event in Honolulu.
Uzbekistan have chosen Istomin and Dustov, however combinations can be changed up until an hour prior to play.
