RP blanks N Zealand 3-0, wraps up Davis Cup tie

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The Philippines clinched their Asia Oceania Group Two Davis Cup tennis match against New Zealand when Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino beat Dan King-Turner and Simon Rea in four sets in Saturday's doubles. Although the two teams still have the reverse finals left to play on Sunday, the Filipinos are assured of the facing whoever wins the other semifinal matchup , between Indonesia or Kuwait. The New Zealand Herald posted the report on Saturday in its website (www.nzherald.co.nz). A Davis Cup tie lasts for three days — with two singles matches on the first day, a doubles match on the second day, and reverse singles matches on the third day. The team that gets the best of the five matches wins the tie. Pinoy players Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino beat Kiwis Dan King-Turner and Simon Read 5-7. 7-6, 7-6, 6-2 in the doubles part of the tie at the Parnell Tennis Club in Auckland. "We had our opportunities out there and our guys couldn't take them," non-playing New Zealand captain James Greenhalgh told the New Zealand Herald. On the first day of the day, on Good Friday, the Philippines won both opening singles in straight sets. Marmiit beat New Zealand No. 2 Rubin Statham 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 while Taino beat Simon Rea 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in matches played on synthetic grass. - GMANews.TV, with a report from AP