Davis Cup Playing Order Confirmed - Family Affair For Both Teams
Thursday 8 July 2010, 2:50PM
By Dave Worsley
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The Davis Cup tennis tie between New Zealand and Pakistan staring tomorrow is going to be a big family affair with home team expecting plenty of support from their relatives and also the Pakistan side having three brothers in their team, while their No1 player, Aisam Qureshi is expecting his parents to arrive from Pakistan today.
The Asia/Oceania Group II semifinal against Pakistan, July 9-11 indoors at the TSB Hub in Hawera, Taranaki has had a big response from the community in Taranaki, however the influx of family and friends is sure to make an impact on the region.
Kiwi No2 and debutant, Michael Venus who has been living in the United States for majority of the past decade will have most of his family coming to Hawera to watch him play his match. Marcus Daniell, Austen Childs and Rubin Statham are all expected extended members of their families to make the journey to Taranaki too.
“My sisters and parents and grand parents are all coming to watch. It will be great to have them in the crowd,” says Venus. “It’s a little nerve wracking to play my first big game, but I’m looking forward to it. Qureshi is a good player. It will be a tough match.”
Venus ranked at 412 in the world will make his first appearance for his country when he takes on the experienced Qureshi who, although barely ranked as a singles player is No37 in the world in doubles and was a quarter finalist in doubles at Wimbledon last week.
Qureshi says that even without recent singles play he still has plenty to offer his side.
“In Davis Cup it’s a little different to the ATP Tour. I will have to use all of my experience to my advantage,” says Qureshi who has played 60 matches in Davis Cup for his country. “I am in good form from Wimbledon and hope to continue that form for this tie. Slowly I am helping get the sport of tennis recognized in Pakistan and a win in New Zealand will help more.”
The Venus versus Quereshi match will be the second match of the tie with the first starting at 2pm between Kiwi No1 Rubin Statham and Aqeel Khan. Statham is ranked at 390 while Khan is 1443, but was inside the top-400 in the past.
Khan also has two brothers, Jalil and Yasir in the team and is a cousin of the great Pakistan squash player, Jahangir Khan.
The doubles teams selected by New Zealand is Venus and Heineken Open winner, Marcus Daniell while Pakistan have confirmed Qureshi and Aqeel Khan as their doubles combination, with the match to be held on Saturday from 2pm.
The reverse singles will be held on Sunday from 11am.
Pakistan and New Zealand have met twice previously in Davis Cup with the scores at 1-1.
New Zealand v Pakistan.
Friday 9 July
2pm start:
NZ No1 – Rubin Statham v Pakistan No2 Aqeel Khan
Followed by
NZ No2 – Michael Venus v Pakistan No1 Aisam Qureshi
Saturday 2pm start:
Doubles – Venus/Marcus Daniell v Qureshi/Aqeel Khan
Sunday – 11am start:
Reverse singles – NZ No1 Statham v Pakistan No1 Qureshi
Followed by
NZ No2 Venus v Pakistan No2 Aqeel Khan.
NEW ZEALAND v PAKISTAN
Venue: TSB Hub, Hawera, Taranaki (hard - indoors)
New Zealand
Rubin 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