Venus vs Sitak at the NZ Premier League

Michael Venus has won the battle of the doubles stalwarts in singles to kick off the opening day of week two in the NZ Premier League.

Playing for Rangitoto against Artem Sitak for Tongariro, Venus won the first set 6-2 after racing to a 4-0 lead. But Sitak was clearly hampered by a heavily strapped knee and pulled out after winning the first game in the second set through injury.

Earlier Isaac Becroft won the first match for Tongariro with a convincing 6- 2 6-1 win over Alex Hunt.

The tie was decided by the doubles and all the experience of world number 11 Venus shone through as he and Caelan Potts defeated Beacroft and Jordan Kelly-Houston 6-2 6-3 to earn a crucial 2-1 win for Rangitoto.

On court two Finn Reynolds earned the first point for Mauao defeating Horokoau’s Reece Falck 6-1 6-4 in 1 hour 11.

Macsen Sisam clinched the tie with a tough three sets win over Alex Klintcharov, 6-4 2-6 6-3 with the match taking 2 hours and 12 minutes.

Horokoau prevented a clean sweep with Falck and Klintcharov teaming up to win the doubles over Reynolds and Zach Whaanga 6-2 6-4.

Mauao have climbed to second on the ladder with the win and they are back in action Thursday against Matairangi.

Rangitoto’s win lifts them into the top four and they also play Thursday against top of the table Hikurangi where Venus and Matt Alexander will play Rubin Statham and Daniel Rowe.

Watch all of the matches live online via the Sky Sport Next YouTube channel.

Schedule, daily order of play, live scores and results: VIEW HERE