Uzbeks beat N. Zealand in Davis Cup

Uzbekistan beat New Zealand 3-2 in their Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 1 tie Sunday after losing the two inconsequential reverse singles.

The Uzbeks rested senior players Denis Istomin and Farrukh Dustov for the dead rubbers after they had secured an unbeatable 3-0 lead by taking out the opening singles and combining to win the doubles.

In the first of the reverse singles, New Zealand's Artem Sitak beat Murad Inoyatov 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 then Dan King-Turner came from a set down to beat Sarvar Ikramov 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Uzbekistan also beat New Zealand 3-2 in the first round last year.