Tennis: NZ after semifinal win

New Zealand will have a chance to balance the ledger against Pakistan when the teams meet in the Asia/Oceania Group 2 Davis Cup tennis semifinal beginning today in Hawera.

Pakistan have named veterans Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan, both aged 30, to play both the singles and doubles matches.

Qureshi and Khan were also the winning combination in the Asia/Oceania Zone group I second round playoff in 2004 which saw New Zealand relegated to group 2 where they have remained.

For today's tie, captain Marcel Vos has handed US-based Michael Venus, 22, his Davis Cup debut as New Zealand No 2 in the singles alongside Rubin Statham, 23.

The tie will open with Statham playing Khan followed by Venus against Qureshi.