Tennis: More demanding tie lies ahead

By TERRY MADDAFORD in Hamilton

New Zealand cruised to a 5-0 victory over Pakistan in their Asia/Oceania group one Davis Cup tie yesterday, but will find their next opponent a far bigger test.

Likely to face India on the subcontinent in April, non-playing captain Glenn Wilson is already considering his options.

On what Mark Nielsen and Alistair Hunt showed him at the Waikato Tennis Centre, and considering the good work from James Shortall and Robbie Cheyne in wrapping up the tie yesterday, there are unlikely to be any changes. Going into the reverse singles in Delhi early today, India had a 2-1 lead over Japan and were expected to win through.

"I try not to look too far ahead," Wilson said minutes after Nielsen and Hunt had beaten Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 in Saturday's doubles to clinch the tie. "I will wait and see who we are going to play.

"Before I have to name that team we have three Futures tournaments in New Zealand which I will look at."

Of suggestions Brett Steven could be involved, Wilson said he would have to be part of the programme.

"But this has been a great team to work with."

Nielsen did not drop a set in winning the opening singles, Hunt was almost as impressive in dropping just one in upsetting Qureshi, and Nielsen and Hunt dropped just one service in taking the doubles.

Yesterday it was even more emphatic.

Shortall broke his 0-2 singles record in "dead" rubbers with a 75-minute 6-2, 6-2 drubbing of Asim Shafik, and Cheyne needed just 53 minutes to send 20-year-old Nomi Qamar on his way 6-2, 6-0 to record a well-deserved victory in his first Davis Cup outing.

Both admitted it was not easy playing such one-sided matches.

"It is really difficult on the last day when the tie is dead," Shortall said. "The other guys have done their job, it is then up to you to maintain that momentum.

"Sure, the incentive of probably going to India was there. We worked hard all week, so it was good to get out on court.

"I was a bit anxious at the start." He should not have been. Shafik struggled, winning only a handful of points from Shortall's serve.

Shortall served five aces to one, but blighted that a little with eight double faults.

Cheyne added: "It was difficult to maintain concentration at times. It is hard to play a guy who does not do much. I prefer to play someone with a more imposing game."

Wilson is now on the lookout for a "decent grass-court in Auckland" as he prepares to take his team to the expected second-round tie in India.

"The guys have done really well. I'm prepared to back them and hope to name the team for the next tie after the first of the Futures - in Blenheim in two weeks."