Davis Cup Tie Hits Hawera

New Zealand Davis Cup captain, Marcel Vos is keeping things close to his
chest for the Asia/Oceania Group II semifinal against Pakistan, July 9-11
indoors at the TSB Hub in Hawera, Taranaki.

With the official draw due to be held on Thursday at the council chambers in
Hawera, Vos has his team set in his head and says every player is capable of
playing singles and doubles for New Zealand.

"I have the luxury of being able to put anyone in the playing positions,
everyone is playing and training well. Rubin is obviously the most
experienced in Davis Cup and has a fantastic record. There is good team
spirit which can count for a lot in Davis Cup," says Vos.

Meanwhile Tennis New Zealand Events and Operations Manager, Tracy Hall is
pleased with the how the tie is shaping up.

Hall has confirmed that ticket sales are going well and that the court
surface is to the liking of both teams.

"Over 600 tickets have been sold for Friday with a capacity of 900, so
that's a great start. The venue is looking good and the court surface which
has been laid is playing well. The whole town has also really supported the
event, which is pleasing to see," says Hall.

Two of the Kiwi players, Marcus Daniell and Michael Venus found themselves
in a helicopter about Hawera dropping promotional tennis balls to close to
around 300 children on the ground. The whole team then signed autographs for
their new-found fans.

New Zealand has a one win, one loss record against Pakistan in Davis Cup.


NEW ZEALAND v PAKISTAN
Venue: TSB Hub, Hawera, Taranaki (hard - indoors)

New Zealand
Jose Statham - 390 singles, 257 doubles
Michael Venus - 412 singles, 480 doubles
Marcus Daniell - 617 singles, 188 doubles
Austen Childs - no current ATP ranking
Captain: Marcel Vos

Pakistan
Aisam Qureshi - 1057 singles, 37 doubles
Aqeel Khan - 1443 singles, 1193 doubles
Jalil Khan - no current ATP ranking
Yasir Khan - no current ATP ranking
Captain: Rashid Ahmad Malik

The start times for the tie are: Friday 9 July - 2pm - two singles matches,
Saturday 10 July - 2pm - one doubles match, Sunday 11 July 11am reverse
singles.

Please note. I will be on site in Hawera from the afternoon of Wednesday 7
July for the whole tie.

Tennis NZ domestic sponsors are Slazenger, Graphix Explosion, Radio Sport,
Taranaki like no Other and Tickedirect.

Tickets are now on sale from ticketdirect www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4
TICKET