South Korea secures Davis Cup tie against NZ

WELLINGTON: New Zealand lost its Davis Cup relegation tie 32 to South Korea in Gimcheon on Saturday, and will next year play in Asia Oceania group two.

Rubin Statham gave New Zealand an early lead with a 76 (1210) 62 win over Hong SeongChan before South Korean No 1 Lee Duckhee levelled the tie at 11 with a 75, 67 (79), 62 win over Michael Venus in a shade over two hours.

New Zealand then overcame the late loss of Marcus Daniell to a back injury, winning the vital doubles rubber 75, 63 to edge in front as 19yearold Ajeet Rai stepped up to partner Artem Sitak against Hong and Lee Jea Moon.

However, Lee Duckhee proved too strong for Statham in the first reverse singles match, winning 64, 61 to send the tie to the fifth and crucial rubber.

New Zealand No 2 Venus pushed Lim YongKyu hard in the 90minute decider, but the South Korean came through for a 76, 64 win.

Meanwhile, veteran pairing Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut booked France’s place in another Davis Cup final as they won the doubles to seal the champion’s 30 victory over Spain in their World Group semifinal yesterday.

The two 36yearolds defeated another experienced duo in 32yearold Marcel Granollers and 36yearold Feliciano Lopez 60, 64, 76 (97) to wrap up the tie before the reverse singles.

It gives Yannick Noah’s team the opportunity to win the last Davis Cup to be played in its traditional format

Croatia led the United States 21 in the other semifinal in Zadar. — RNZ/Reuters