China's Davis Cup singles tennis ­players both came from behind to win the opening matches in the Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie against New Zealand on Monday.

In the first rubber in Tianjin, the home side's Wu Di, world No.203, needed five sets to overcome Michael Venus, world No.383, with a score of 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

In the day's other match, the first set also went to New Zealand, with world No.287 Rubin Statham taking it on a tiebreaker, before Zhang Ze, ranked 253, ran out a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 winner.

New Zealand are newly promoted to Group 1 after beating the Philippines in September, while China had to face Chinese Taipei in a relegation playoff in April to stay in the division, which proved to be a comfortable 5-0 whitewash.

The doubles match is on Tuesday, before the reverse singles on Wednesday.

Agencies - Global Times