Tennis: Michael Venus ready to answer the singles call again

Michael Venus. Photo / Nick Reed

He's ranked 17 in the world in doubles but it is likely to be singles where Captain Alistair Hunt once again plays Michael Venus in this week's Asia Oceania Group 1 relegation Davis Cup tie against South Korea in Gimcheon.

Hunt will name his side at tomorrow's draw where Venus is again expected to be picked alongside Kiwi number one Rubin Statham for the opening day's singles rubbers on Friday.

Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak will team up for Saturday's doubles with 19-year-old Ajeet Rai likely to be left on the sidelines unless there is a dead reverse singles rubber on Saturday.

For Venus it is familiar territory as for the past few years apart from regular wildcards at Auckland's ASB Classic, he has only played singles in Davis Cup ties, having become one of the world's best doubles specialists.

The good news for Venus is the indoor hard court in Gimcheon is playing fast and will suit him.

"It's a different week for me playing all the singles in practice," Venus said.

"The indoor court is playing quite fast so personally I'm not too upset as it allows the points to be a bit shorter and enables me to serve and volley a bit more.

"Hopefully if I am playing singles out there it will be a little bit like my doubles points coming forward."

South Korea is bolstered by the inclusion of profoundly deaf player Duckhee Lee. The 20-year-old is ranked 231 in the world having been as high as 130 last year.

"It's quite remarkable that he's played at such a high level with what he has because a lot of guys use the feedback of the sound coming off the ball to kind of adjust to where they are on the court. It is pretty cool that he is able to do what he does."

Venus has played Lee once before in singles qualifying at the ATP tournament in Shenzhen in 2015, a match Venus won in three sets.

Venus still loves playing Davis Cup and a chance to be away from the pressure of chasing ranking points and getting into the team environment where there is a good camaraderie between the New Zealand players.

"We play against each other (Daniell and Sitak on the ATP doubles circuit) in tournaments throughout the year. Even when we are at those tournaments we are all still friends and talk to each other. It's only awkward when we play each other but once we get off the court it's been and done and things go back to normal," Venus said.

The 30-year-old experienced campaigner is also thrilled to see New Zealand blood and some new talent into the Davis Cup environment.

Eighteen-year-old Macsen Sisam travelled with New Zealand to China in February and 19-year-old Ajeet Rai is part of the team in Korea.

"He's been doing well over the last few months in the Futures events so he's doing well and it looks like he will be part of the team for years to come. It's great to have these new faces around the team," Venus said.

Matches are best of three sets with two singles rubbers on Friday followed by the doubles and two singles rubbers on Saturday.​