Paes guides India to win

Leander Paes led India to a 3-2 win over New Zealand in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1 first round on Sunday, when he beat Simon Rea in the second reverse singles.

The Indian captain beat Rea in four sets 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 at the Southland Stadium at Invercargill, New Zealand.

Paes, had also won his opening singles against New Zealand No. 1 Mark Nielsen on Friday and the doubles on Saturday with Mahesh Bhupathi.

India entered the final day with a 2-1 lead but found themselves under pressure when Nielsen won the first reverse singles 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 over newcomer Vishal Punna.

Punna got the nod after Harsh Mankad struggled in the opening singles.

Under greater pressure when he quickly conceded the first set to Rae, Paes ground out a vital service break in the second, then swept through the last two sets as Rae faltered.

India will play the winner of the Japan-Indonesia match at Jakarta in the second round of the Asia-Oceania zone.