Tennis: Davis Cup go-ahead despite unrest

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The New Zealand Davis Cup team venture into uncharted territory for their clash with Pakistan in Islamabad next month.

The September 24-26 tie will go ahead despite reservations by Tennis New Zealand about travelling to a country which has hit the headlines following terrorist attacks.

"It's not the destination of choice," Tennis NZ chief executive Don Turner said yesterday. "We are comfortable with assurances about security. But even 24-hour security can't stop bombs and grenades.

"But, overall, I would have to say I don't have any real concerns."

It is New Zealand's first tie in Pakistan and just the second time the two have met. In February last year, in a tie originally scheduled for Pakistan but switched to Hamilton's hardcourts, New Zealand won 5-0.

Almost all Pakistan's 76 Davis Cup ties (since 1948) have been played in the lower reaches of the Asia/Oceania group. They have a 36-38 win-loss record.

New Zealand, on the cup trail since 1924 and with eight years in the 1980s in the World Group, have played 102 matches (46-56).

Of the team who swept Pakistan in Hamilton, only Mark Nielsen will go to Islamabad. The others in Hamilton were Alistair Hunt, James Shortall and Robbie Cheyne.

Non-playing captain Bruce Derlin yesterday announced Nielsen, Simon Rea, Lee Radovanovich and William Ward as four of his team. A fifth will be added after he has spoken to GD Jones' coach at the University of Illinois.

"If GD is cleared to play, and he can assure me he will be in Sydney on September 14 for four days of practice on clay, he will be in," Derlin said. "If not, Matt Prentice will join the team."

Adam Thompson, playing in Nigeria, turned down the opportunity, citing the cost of returning and the fact it "did not fit his schedule" as reasons.

Nielsen will return from Europe three weeks before the tie. Rea, playing Futures in the US, will be back on September 10. Ward is in Canada and will go on to play the US Open juniors. Radovanovich is in Auckland and back playing after being sidelined with a finger injury.

Derlin was surprised the Pakistanis opted for clay.

"I feel we are better equipped to play on clay than them," he said. "The Australians have given us the use of a clay court at Olympic Park. That will be vital to our preparation and help in the final selection."

A win over Pakistan would put New Zealand back to where they were last year, facing the prospect of a tie next March against India (away), Japan (home), Thailand (away), Chinese-Taipei (away) or Uzbekistan (away).