Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Davis Cup Tennis at Baypark was the highlight of a busy sporting weekend for Sideline Sid.

The opportunity to view a snapshot of one of the world great sporting competitions was too good to turn down – with the New Zealand team taking home court advantage against Uzbekistan in the TECT Arena at Baypark.

The Davis Cup began in 1900 between Great Britain and USA and has expanded to one of the biggest sporting tournaments in the world.

Unlike global tournaments, such as the Football and Rugby World Cup, where the top tier nations come together (every four years) the Davis Cup is played every year in groups all over the world.

Top of the tree is the World Group, with New Zealand sitting just below in Asia Oceania Group One.

The second tier group is extremely strong, witnessed by Australia being in the same group.

Sideline Sid attended the first day’s play on Friday, where the two sides’ number one and two singles players squared off.

Opening the stanza’s was a real David and Goliath battle between New Zealand number two Rubin Statham and world number 58 Dennis Istomin for the visitors.

Unlike the fairytales where David triumphs, the reality was that the Kiwi was never in the hunt, and appeared mesmerised by the shots and play making of Istomin.

6-1, 6-1, and some resistance in the third set of 6-4, told the tale of the domination of a player who has earned well over a million dollars on the professional circuit.

While it was perhaps disappointing to see the Kiwi outgunned, the real joy was watching Istomin glide around the court.

A between the legs return that turned into a winner was just one of the tricks that he pulled out of his bag on the way to victory.

New Zealand number one Michael Venus made an encouraging start against Farrukh Dustov, breaking serve in the first game, and going on to take out the opening set 6-3.

The first set loss seemed to stir up the Uzbekistani who then dropped just four games, in taking out the next three sets to easily win the match. 

The visitors went on to take out Davis Cup tie winning the doubles on Saturday.

While the record book will show that the final result was a 3-2 win to Uzbekistan, the reality was that we only won the two dead singles rubbers, which count for nothing.

However, attendance at sporting event is not really about winning and losing, but more about how one has enjoyed the experience.

So how did the Davis Cup in Tauranga stack up for Sideline Sid.

The venue at the TECT Arena was superb.

No more playing outside these days when you can roll out a purpose-built court inside.

The games ran like clockwork with clear, but firm instructions from the chair umpire.

The army of line umpires and ball boys (and girls) were quietly efficient and were well rehearsed in their respective roles.

TECT staff and the volunteer ushers ensured everyone was seated without any fuss or unnecessary checking of tickets. Value for money – you betcha.

However, getting on my hobbyhorse, one thing that irritates the hell out of me at sporting events and entertainment alike, is the practice of deceiving with the entrance cost.

Widely advertised as $30 per person on day one – the real cost was $68 for two, when the ticketing cost was added to the entrance charge.

In spite of the pathetic numbers that turned up to watch over the three days, the organisers can hold their head high with pride, after bringing an iconic world sporting tournament to Tauranga.

Seeya at the Game