China beat New Zealand in Davis Cup cliffhanger
Monday, 22 September 2008
WELLINGTON, Sept 21 (AFP): China fought back to win both reverse singles and snatch a 3-2 victory over New Zealand in the Asia-Oceania Group II Davis Cup final in New Plymouth Sunday.
China, who were staring at defeat after the opening day Friday, when they lost both singles matches to trail 0-2, will now be promoted to the regional Group I next year.
After their sluggish start, the Chinese reeled off three straight victories taking the doubles Saturday and the reverse singles Sunday.
They drew level in the clash of the top players when Yan Bai beat Daniel King-Turner in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
As the match went down to the wire in the final match Peng Sun and GD Jones, playing in place of an injured Rubin Statham, battled through a five-set thriller.
In a see-sawing encounter, Peng took the first set 6-3, Jones fought back to take the second set tie breaker 7-5, Peng struck back to take the third 7-5 before the New Zealander won the fourth 6-4.
China, who were staring at defeat after the opening day Friday, when they lost both singles matches to trail 0-2, will now be promoted to the regional Group I next year.
After their sluggish start, the Chinese reeled off three straight victories taking the doubles Saturday and the reverse singles Sunday.
They drew level in the clash of the top players when Yan Bai beat Daniel King-Turner in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
As the match went down to the wire in the final match Peng Sun and GD Jones, playing in place of an injured Rubin Statham, battled through a five-set thriller.
In a see-sawing encounter, Peng took the first set 6-3, Jones fought back to take the second set tie breaker 7-5, Peng struck back to take the third 7-5 before the New Zealander won the fourth 6-4.