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Chris Rodesch and Alex Knaff have put Luxembourg on the verge of a Davis Cup World Group II victory.
New Zealand is on the back foot after the opening day's play in the Davis Cup tie against Luxembourg. Photo: Tennis NZ
Chris Rodesch and Alex Knaff have put Luxembourg on the verge of a Davis Cup World Group II victory against New Zealand.
The visitors took control in the opening day's play in Palmerston North to forge a 2-nil lead, winning both singles matches against the home side.
The Kiwis are on the back foot and must win all their remaining matches on Sunday starting with the doubles at midday.
Big serving top Luxembourg player Chris Rodesch brushed aside New Zealand No.2 Ajeet Rai 6-2 6-4 in the second reverse singles.
New Zealand No. 1 KP Pannu was in with a chance in a seesaw match against Luxembourg No. 2 Alex Knaff in the opener.
Knaff dominated the first set before Pannu found another gear to take the gripping second set tiebreak.
The players were on serve deep in the third set before Knaff handled the added pressure of playing for his country to edge out Pannu 6-1 6-7(8) 7-5.
KP Pannu won the second set in a tiebreak. Photo: Tennis NZ
In a match that lasted nine minutes shy of three hours, the New Zealander continually battled back from being in tough positions, saving two match points in the second set.
New Zealand team captain and retired New Zealand ATP doubles professional Artem Sitak said his team had a large mountain to climb on Sunday.
"Now that we are 2-nil down that's the situation I was hoping not to be in after day one.
Artem Sitak, 38, has taken over from Kelly Evernden as the New Zealand captain. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
'It's not ideal but we've seen a lot of Davis Cup ties ending with a 3-2 win when the team was down 2-0, so hopefully that is going to be us."
Finn Reynolds and Rubin Statham were expected to be the New Zealand doubles team for the first match on Sunday but Sitak was considering a substitution.
With the result of the tie hanging on the doubles, and two remaining singles, Sitak said he would look at all available options.
"I'll need to think it through tonight and come out with the best possible plan to win the next three matches," Artem Sitak said.
"The deadline to change is 11am, so by then it will be official, but right now I need to think about it."
Palmerston North tennis fans who packed the stadium on Saturday will be hoping the tie will last the distance.
With Manawatū hosting its first serve of international tennis action, Fly Palmy Arena has been transformed into a tennis venue, with about 1500 seats and more than 30 corporate tables.
Invercargill and New Plymouth have hosted Davis Cup ties, and Tennis NZ's tournament and events manager Mark Atkins said the organisation loved taking the sport to the regions.