China stopped by Kazakhstan in Davis Cup

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-10 11:45

WUHAN, China - China was stopped by Kazakhstan in the second round of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group I tie here on Sunday although Chinese pair Gong Maoxin/Li Zhe whitewashed their opponent in the doubles rubber.

Kazakhstan took a 2-0 lead by winning the first two singles, however, they failed to seal the win within three matches after losing the doubles rubber.

Depending on fierce half-volley and consistent base line control, Chinese pair Gong Maoxin/Li Zhe easily clinched the first two sets in the score of 6-3, 6-2. Kazakhstan's pair Andrey Golubev/ Yuri Schukin then decided to retire from the match so as to conserve energy.

In the following match, world No. 75 Golubev, who is obviously expert in singles rather than doubles, eased to beat China's Zhang Ze 6-2, 6-4, 6-3. The victory gifted Kazakhstan a 3-1 lead and guaranteed the world No. 21 team a place in the World Group. [ Golubev's triumph also means the final singles rubber between Mikhail Kukushkin and Wu Di was countless, although Kukushkin won 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

In Friday's singles, Golubev defeated Wu Di 3-1, and Kukushkin whitewashed Zhang Ze 3-0.