Draw set for New Zealand v Türkiye Davis Cup tie in Auckland

KP Pannu will play the opening singles rubber against Türkiye’s number one Cem Ilkel in this weekend’s Davis Cup World Group 1 playoff tie in Auckland.

The pōwhiri and official draw ceremony took place earlier today at the Ōrākei Marae with in form Pannu (716) drawing a player who is ranked 284 on the ATP rankings.

The second singles rubber on opening day has NZ No 1 Rubin Statham playing Yanki Erel (325). Statham has had 31 singles wins in the Davis Cup, more than anyone else who’s ever played for New Zealand.

Marcus Daniell and Finn Reynolds will combine against Sarp Agabigun and Ergi Kirkin in Saturday’s doubles match where the Kiwi combination will be warm favourites. 

Following the doubles matchup, Rubin Statham will again take the court against Cem Ilkel.

The tie gets underway Friday 2 February with the winner advancing to the World Group 1 in September and the loser dropping to World Group 2. 

A big thank you to mana whenua Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for hosting us this afternoon with a moving pōwhiri and for welcoming the players at the draw ceremony.

Play starts Friday 2 February at 4pm and at 12pm Saturday 3 February.  Tickets are still available HERE and if you can’t watch in person, Stuff will be live streaming the matches online.