Uzbekistan’s Davis Cup team took an early stranglehold in its tie against New Zealand in Tauranga on Friday, convincingly winning the first two rubbers to open up a 2-0 lead.
World No.58 Denis Istomin cruised past Rubin Statham 6-1 6-1 6-3, taking barely 90 minutes to dispose of a player almost 500 places below him in the men’s tour rankings.
Farrukh Dustov had a slightly tougher assignment against Michael Venus, coming back from a set down to win 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-2.
The result means New Zealand must win Saturday’s doubles rubber to retain any hope of claiming victory.