NZ shuts out Phl in Davis Cup

Manila, Philippines - New Zealand made sure the Philippines won’t get the chance, taking the doubles match yesterday for an unbeatable 3-0 lead in their Asia/Oceania Group I Davis Cup tie in Hawera, New Zealand.

The Kiwis swept the opening singles the other day then went for the kill courtesy of Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell who scored a 7-6 (0), 6-3, 6-2 win over Cecil Mamiit and Ruben Gonzales.

The 3-0 lead for New Zealand rendered today’s reverse singles of the best-of-five tie irrelevant, insignificant and “dead.”

Mamiit, who lost to New Zealand No. 1 Michael Venus last Friday, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4), 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, was supposed to rest for the day, but was tapped for the doubles match the Philippines couldn’t afford to lose.

But the presence of Maria Sharapova’s hitting partner on the Philippine side still wasn’t enough. For the reverse singles, Johnny Arcilla and youthful Jeson Patrombon should be given the chance to sweat it out.

Gonzales, a Fil-American, lost to Rubin Statham, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, in the opening singles.

The victory ensured New Zealand would remain in Group 1 of the Davis Cup, while the Philippines fell into a knockout tie with Chinese Taipei, with the loser falling back to Group 2.

Neither team broke serve in the opening set, and the Kiwi pair took it at 7-0 on a double-fault by Mamiit, 35, who had retired from the professional tour but has opted to stick it out with the Phl Davis Cup team.

New Zealand zoomed ahead, 3-1, in the second set but the Philippines fought back to level it at 3-3. The Kiwis answered back and took the second set at 6-3.

In what proved to be the final set, the Kiwis broke the Filipinos’ serve thrice before cruising to victory.

New Zealand non-playing captain Marcel Vos was happy with the win, and the chance to face Australia next year.

“It was a great team effort and I’m really happy to get through like this, all the guys being involved in a 3-0 win. Today they served well, returned well and backed themselves,” said Vos.

“Happy all around. It was a solid performance from Rubin and fantastic effort from Mike coming through in the five setter that was a really key match for us on day one,” he added.

“It’s the best day in my life, there’s no feeling like Davis Cup when you win like that. The other guys didn’t know how to get past us,” said Sitak, who was born in Russia.