Tennis: King-Turner wins first-up clash

New Zealand tennis No 1 Dan King-Turner opened the Asia/Oceania group two Davis Cup tie against Indonesia with a solid straight sets victory in Hamilton yesterday.

King-Turner ranked beat his unranked opponent Sunu Wahyu Trijati in the opening match of the semifinal tie 6-4 6-1 6-4 to give New Zealand a 1-0 lead.

The score was level until the ninth game of the first set when King-Turner broke the Indonesian's serve to go ahead 5-4 and then serve out the set.

The second set was easier for King-Turner while the third again saw the scores level at 4-4 before another break from the world No 405.

New Zealand No 2 Rubin Statham is suffering from a cold and was withdrawn from the second singles to be played this afternoon and replaced by GD Jones.

Jones will face Indonesia No 1 Christopher Rungkat in the second singles match.

If New Zealand win the tie they will play either the Philippines or Pakistan in the group two final in September.

- NZPA