AUCKLAND, Feb 9: James Shortall and Robbie Cheyne won their first matches in Davis Cup tennis as New Zealand completed a 5-0 sweep of Pakistan in their Asia-Oceania first round tie at the Waikato Tennis Center, Hamilton on Sunday.
Shortall and Cheyne were propelled into action in Sunday’s reverse singles after Alistair Hunt and Mark Nielsen had clinched the tie for New Zealand in Saturday’s doubles. Hunt and Nielsen had previously beaten Aisam Qureshi and Aqeel Khan in the opening singles.
Pakistan also pushed forward its less experienced players in Sunday’s dead rubbers. Shortall beat Asim Shafik 6-2, 6-2 and Cheyne beat Nomi Qamar 6-2, 6-0 in matches restricted to the best of three sets.
New Zealand will play the winner of the group match between India or Japan in its second round clash in April. India led Japan 2-1 after Saturday’s doubles.
Results:
New Zealand 5 Pakistan 0
Sunday’s singles
James Shortall beat Asim Shafik 6-2 6-2; Robert Cheyne beat Nomi Qamar 6-2 6-0