NZ Davis Cup side off to shaky start in India

The New Zealand Davis Cup team is 1-0 down after the first day of their Davis Cup tie against India.

Play was initially delayed due to heavy rain and the delay meant play was suspended midway through Rubin Statham's singles match due to bad light.

Kiwi No 2 Dan King-Turner took the court against top 200 ranked Yuki Bhambri. King-Turner won the first two sets easily 6-3 6-0, but in the hot conditions he strained his calf muscle at the end of the second set and Bhambri was able to fight his way back to win the match for India taking the next three sets 2-6 4-6 2-6.
 
"Dan was very unlucky. He got hurt at the end of the second set when momentum was going his way. it then swung to his opponent. It looked like Dan was going to take the match. It was disappointing to lose that first one," said non-playing captain Marcel Vos.
 
The second singles match between Kiwi No1 Statham and Indian No 2 Vishnu Vardham has been suspended with Statham down 2-6 7-6(5) 4-6.
 
The match has been scheduled to resume 10am Saturday (local time) with doubles to follow.

- © Fairfax NZ News