KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's long quest for Davis Cup tennis respectability reaches a crossroads in New Plymouth this week.
The Asia-Oceania group two final against China starting on Friday represents their first chance to earn promotion to group one since 2004.
Non-playing captain James Greenhalgh described it as the most
important tie involving New Zealand since his appointment in late 2005.
The stakes are not lost on the playing quartet of Dan King-Turner, Rubin Statham, GD Jones and Adam Thompson.
"Our guys understand the importance of this tie, hence they all made themselves available and agreed to assemble as a group last Saturday to prepare," Greenhalgh said today.
"We are taking it very seriously.
"This tie is a realistic chance for us to do well and reach our goal of being back in group one."
Victory will seal New Zealand regional group one status for 2009, when they could play alongside the likes of Australia.
This country's transtasman rivals are involved in the group one final against Chile in Chile this weekend, when they are widely tipped to struggle without injured former world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt.
New Zealand enter the final after dropping just two sets while swatting aside Oman and Kuwait 5-0 in group ties in the Middle East this year.
China have not been as statistically impressive, thrashing Lebanon 5-0 but then edging past Indonesia 3-2 in the semifinal, thanks to a pair of singles wins by 19-year-old Yan Bai.
Yan is China's top ranked player at 496th in the world, while Greenhalgh is also wary of their experienced doubles combination of Shao Xuan Zeng and Xin Yuan Yu.
Shao, ranked 145th in the doubles, debuted at Davis Cup level in 2002 and he and Xin have won 15 of 23 doubles contests between them.
"We know a little bit about them through our players," Greenhalgh said.
"I think it'll be a very close, competitive tie.
"The ATP rankings of the players are fairly similar and they have an established doubles team who will make things difficult for us on Saturday.
"We will need to play well to give ourselves a chance to win."
The Chinese arrived in New Plymouth yesterday, by which time the New Zealanders had grown accustomed to the new relocatable rebound ace indoor court being used for the first time this week.
"It's come up really well. It's a kit set court and it's the first time it has been laid in New Zealand," Greenhalgh said.
"The court suits our game styles. It is not so extreme that it would give you a home court advantage but it's a fair court which our guys enjoy playing on."
New Zealand are unbeaten against China in five previous Cup ties dating back to 1937. They last met in 1999.
The draw for the first round singles will take place tomorrow.
New Zealand: Dan King-Turner, Rubin Statham, GD Jones and Adam Thompson.
China: Yan Bai, Shao Xuan Zeng, Xin Yuan Yu, Peng Sun.
- NZPA
