Tennis: Kiwis dream of facing Swiss aces

Michael Venus and Artem Sitak. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand's best tennis players could be contemplating a dream Davis Cup tie against Switzerland, whose team includes Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka.

This week New Zealand face India in the Asia/Oceania Group One final in Christchurch. The winner of that tie earns the right to a World Cup promotion/relegation playoff in September.

Possible opponents could be 2013 Davis Cup champions Switzerland, who lost to Belgium in the first round in March, or the United States. Other nations in the mix are Japan (featuring Kei Nishikori), Croatia (Marin Cilic), Germany, Italy, Brazil and the Czech Republic.

"To face a team like Switzerland would be amazing, a dream come true," said New Zealand representative Artem Sitak. "I've had that idea in the back of my mind for a while. Imagine if Roger Federer or Stan Wawrinka were there. That would be unbelievable."

Such a prospect would cap off an encouraging spell for New Zealand men's tennis. Sitak and Michael Venus have made good progress in doubles at recent grand slam events, and Venus won an ATP singles match in Auckland in January, the first by a Kiwi male in more than a decade. Sitak and Marcus Daniell claimed an ATP doubles title in Montpellier in February, followed by Venus nabbing his first ATP level doubles event (Nice) in May.

"All of us are playing well and in a good space," said Sitak.

"There is real confidence among the group.

"We know what we can achieve as a team."

Sitak enjoyed his first Wimbledon experience - "I loved the traditions. I want to wear all-white in every tournament from now on" - and had an epic first day.

"We went to five sets, winning 10-8 in the fifth, on one of the hottest days ever recorded at Wimbledon. It was more than 40C and we were on court for four hours."

Sitak, who was beaten by the eventual finalists in both the men's doubles and mixed doubles, took great heart from his SW19 spell.

"I can see that we can be there, at that level," said Sitak. "I'm improving and learning every day, all the time."

That improvement will be necessary against a strong Indian team. They include Yuki Bhambri (world No 156) and Somdev Devvarman (173 but has been as high as 90) as well as top-20 doubles player Ropan Bopana, who was due to play in the Wimbledon men's doubles final overnight (NZT).

"They are a very good team with a lot of quality," said Sitak.

The tie opens on Friday with two singles matches, followed by the doubles on Saturday and reverse singles on Sunday.