Top Russian tennis player wants to be a Kiwi

MAARTEN HOLL/The Dominion Post

FUTURE KIWI: Russian Artem Sitak has applied for New Zealand citizenship and could play for New Zealand in the Davis Cup.

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Russian Artem Sitak, a first round winner at the Wellington futures tournament, could be playing tennis for New Zealand within the next six months.

World No 468 Sitak has been in talks with the national body to secure New Zealand citizenship. Yesterday, the 23-year-old beat Hayden Lewis of Barbados and should progress further when he plays a lucky loser or qualifier in tomorrow's second round.

Tennis New Zealand chief executive Steve Walker accompanied Sitak to a meeting with immigration officials in Auckland recently. Walker wants the Russian for New Zealand's Davis Cup tie later this year, while for Sitak, a wildcard into January's Heineken Open and the chance to play Davis Cup would be the main sweetener.

Sitak came into the Wellington tournament ranked 406, ahead of New Zealand's top two players Rubin Statham (436) and Dan King-Turner (460). He would undeniably boost New Zealand's tennis stocks, with two career titles to his name and wins over top-100 players.

Sitak was born in Orenburg, on the Ural River. He speaks fluent English, having left Russia as a 13-year-old to attend Florida's Saddlebrook tennis academy.

His best career win came last August in Ukraine over Belgian Wimbledon semifinalist Xavier Malisse, when Sitak's ranking peaked at No 299.

"Right now my base is Phoenix, Arizona, but I'm hoping to make it Auckland," said Sitak, the 17th ranked Russian tennis player.

"I'm applying for citizenship to be part of New Zealand. Tennis New Zealand has helped me a lot. We went to the office together, and I just received a letter saying it could take up to six months."

Sitak will not be a Kiwi in time for the Davis Cup tie in July, but if New Zealand progresses, he could play either Pakistan or the Philippines in September.

He first came to Auckland for the March 9 Albany futures tournament when he reached the semifinals. He also worked with Auckland coach James Greenhalgh.

In other first round singles action yesterday, Auckland's GD Jones crashed out, losing 7-5 6-3 to second seed Tatsumi Ito of Japan. Jones failed to impress as he blew a 4-1 first set advantage against the consistent baseliner Ito.

Unforced errors were prone to come off Jones' racquet, while the calmer Ito took the opportunity to attack his opponent's weak second serve.

The first set break was handed to Ito at 5-5 when Jones ended three consecutive points by hitting the ball into the net. Ito sealed the first set with an ace and again used his power to set up match point with a sizzling forehand down the line.

"I hope to win the tournament," said Ito, who was the runner-up last week in Hamilton.

Jones was furious with another first round exit. He now plans to travel to South Korea for more futures tournaments.

Hamilton-born teenager Katherine Westbury, who lives in Sydney, upset the fifth seed Nudnida Luangnam of Thailand.

First round singles will be completed today at the Renouf Tennis Centre.