Rubin Statham gets some practice in on the artificial surface at Parnell. Photo / Paul Estcourt
New Zealand are hoping an unusual playing surface and the intimate atmosphere at the Parnell club courts will give them an edge against the Philippines in a testing Davis Cup tie starting tomorrow.
The Asia Oceania group two second round clash will be played on artificial grass and
both teams have been boning up on its characteristics this week.
New Zealand No 1 Dan King-Turner reckons the New Zealand quartet - himself, Simon Rea, Rubin Statham and Matt Simpson - are settling into their work well and coming to grips with the surface.
"The serve comes through pretty quickly so it is quite tough to break serve, but once you get into the rally the court is not that fast," he said.
King-Turner, ranked No 480, and Rea, at No 668, are expected to be the singles pair. They will be up against Cecil Mamiit, who is now world No 199 but was once No 72, and Eric Taino, now in the 500s but a former No 122.
On paper, that makes the Philippines favourites, but with temporary seating installed at Parnell and providing a compact capacity of about 500, the New Zealanders are hoping to get a lift.
"Everything's been going really well. All the guys are hitting the ball well so we're looking forward to Friday," King-Turner said.
Mamiit beat top New Zealander Brett Steven in the opening round of the men's international tournament in 1997 on his only previous visit to Auckland.
The winner of the tie, which has doubles on Saturday and reverse singles on Sunday, will play either Indonesia or Kuwait.
The winner of that match will advance to the region's group one next year.
