Davis Cup team ready to take on India

The 2XU Compression New Zealand Davis Cup team is in full playing and training mode as they get ready for their  Asia/Oceania Group I Relegation Playoff clash against India in Chandigarh, this weekend.

The team of Rubin Statham, Dan King-Turner, Michael Venus, Artem Sitak and non-playing captain Marcel Vos were welcomed to the city by a large amount of media at their hotel and have now settled in ready for what will a tough contest starting on Friday.

The two nations have met on six previous occasions with the score locked at three wins a piece.

"Obviously playing India, in India is a big challenge for us. They were relegated to Group 1 Asia/Oceania last year after spending two years in the World Group. It’s been 35 years since NZ last won in India. That team had  Onny Parun, Chris Lewis and Brian Fairlie in it. So it’s has been a while since things went our way up here,” said Vos.

“India is fronting up with a younger and less experienced team which gives us a real opportunity to get a result. On paper it’s a fairly even Tie with five great potential match-ups, so if we can all play our best tennis and handle the conditions well it will be an exciting Tie. Even though it’s being held in India our guys have more Davis Cup experience then our opponents and hopefully this will become a factor as well. We are keen to put in a total team effort,” said Vos.

Meanwhile experienced New Zealand player, Dan King-Turner believes that despite the hot temperatures his team are very much in the running for a positive result.

"I am really excited about our chances this weekend. The conditions are going to be tough, as it’s extremely hot and humid here but I believe our team is fit and will do well. The court is medium pace which definitely suits me. I believe the match ups are going to be good for us, all the players have similar rankings which will make for some tight matches,” said King-Turner.

The winner of the Tie remains in Asia/Oceania Group I. The loser plays Chinese Taipei to remain in Group I.

The draw will be held early tomorrow evening (Thursday 13 September). Chandigarh is six and a half hours behind New Zealand time.

Phone contacts for the team and any phone conference after the draw will be sent through to media tomorrow.

Details:
NZ v India Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Asia/Oceania Group I Relegation Playoff
Chandigarh, India, hard court outdoors.
14-16 September

Start times
Day 1: 1000 hrs (430pm NZT)
Day 2: 1200 hrs (630pm NZT)
Day 3: 1000 hrs (430pm NZT)

2XU Compression New Zealand team:
Rubin Statham, Dan King-Turner, Michael Venus, Artem Sitak, Marcel Vos (non-playing captain).

http://www.daviscup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100017700