Hawera home for NZ team

New Zealand's Davis Cup tennis team has set up camp in Hawera as it prepares for the weekend's crucial showdown with the Philipinnes.
Having lost to Uzbekistan in the first Asia-Oceania group one match, the Kiwis need to win at the TSB Hub to avoid facing a relegation play-off against Taiwan to retain their group one status.
It was at the $21 million Hawera venue last year that they set up promotion to group one, the level below the world's top 16 nations. Roared on by an enthusiastic crowd, they fought back from 2-1 down on the last Sunday to beat Pakistan 3-2.
Now non-playing captain Marcel Vos and his team of Michael Venus, Artem Sitak, Rubin Statham and Marcus Daniell are looking for more of the same.
A special court has been laid at the TSB Hub comprising 320 grooved pieces of timber which have been sanded and repainted with line markings. It took less than two days from the start of installation for the court to be playable.
Practice is already under way for the New Zealanders, while the Philippines team was expected to arrive last night.
Tiered seating will offer great views for up to 900 spectators, but ticket sales have been initially sluggish and organisers are hoping for a surge over the next few days.
Play starts at 2pm on Friday with two singles matches, followed by the doubles at 2pm on Saturday and a 10am start on Sunday for the final two singles rubbers. Tickets will be on sale on each day.
The Davis Cup clash will feature a number of firsts for tennis in New Zealand - live online streaming of the action; score updates, photos and videos via YouTube on the Tennis NZ Facebook site; and updates and links to photos, videos and live streaming on Twitter @tennisnz.
New Zealand's No1 is 23-year-old Venus, ranked at 325 in the world and in good form, reaching the quarterfinals of a US$50,000 Challenger event near Chicago last week.
Russian-born Sitak, 25, is the current world No378, while Statham, 24, first played for the Davis Cup team in 2005 and has a 17-win, four-loss record in singles for his country. Rounding out the foursome is 21-year-old Daniell.
This quartet lost 3-2 to Uzbekistan earlier this year, but selectors have kept faith with them.
The Philippines team features former top 80 player Cecil Mamiit, who is now Wimbledon finalist Maria Sharapova's hitting partner. Also in the Philippines team are a couple of younger players with good pedigrees in juniors, Ruben Gonzales and Jeson Patrombon, as well as Jonny Arcilla.
New Zealand and the Philippines have met four ties at Davis Cup level, with the Philippines winning three times, the last time 4-1 at Manila in 2009.
"All four players are looking forward to a home tie against Philippines and eager to reverse the 2009 loss," said NZ captain Vos.
"We have fond memories of our win over Pakistan in Hawera last year - the facility was great and the crowd and community really got behind us - and we are looking forward to another supportive crowd."
From humble beginnings in 1900, the Davis Cup is now the sporting world's biggest annual team event with 125 countries competing. New Zealand first entered in 1924.
New Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic began his remarkable 40-plus match unbeaten run with two victories for Serbia as they beat France last year to become Davis Cup holders for the first time.
And tennis greats such as Rod Laver, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have all taken part.
For tickets and further information, go to www.tennisnz.com.