16 Sep 2016

NZ tennis team close in on Davis Cup win

5:13 pm on 16 September 2016

The New Zealand tennis team have dominated day one of their Davis Cup clash with Pakistan in Christchurch to take control of the tie.

New Zealand tennis player Finn Tearney.

New Zealand tennis player Finn Tearney. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand No.1 Finn Tearney overwhelmed Pakistan number two Samir Iftikhar in straight sets in the second match of the day.

The 25-year-old crushed his opponent 6-2,6-0,6-0 following compatriot Rubin Statham's equally impressive 6-0,6-1,6-4 win over Mohammad Abid Ali Khan Akbar in the first singles rubber.

Tearney was delighted with his performance in his first live singles rubber after being nervous at the start.

"I started playing pretty well and he allowed me to play well and I managed to execute and it was a good first day. I have always wanted to play Davis Cup and I am really stoked to get my first win," Tearney said.

New Zealand lead the tie 2-0 and will retain their place in Asia/Oceania Group 1 with victory in tomorrow's doubles.

World No.41 ranked Michael Venus and 56th ranked Marcus Daniell are expected to be far too strong for Pakistan captain Aqeel Khan and Akbar.

Statham, was up first on court, and gave had given New Zealand the perfect start on a record breaking day for the 29-year-old.

The New Zealand No.2 marked breaking Onny Parun's New Zealand Davis Cup record 25 ties with a crushing straight sets win over Pakistan number two Mohammad Abid Ali Khan Akbar.

"It was a great match and I played really well the first two sets with error free tennis," Statham said.

New Zealand captain Alistair Hunt praised both Statham and Tearney for their dominant performances.

"Rubin is just an old servant of the game and is doing well and it was fantastic to get the job done. Finn coming out, your hardest win is your first win and he's got a big future going forward."

The doubles rubber will start at 3pm tomorrow.

-RNZ