Venus wins first match with new partner Jamie Murray

New Zealand’s top ranked doubles player Michael Venus and his new partner Britain’s Jamie Murray are off to a winning start.

The 4^th seeds have beaten American Maxime Cressy and Frenchman Albano Olivetti 3-6 6-3 10-2 in their second-round doubles match at the ATP 250 tournament in Adelaide.

Rubin Statham meanwhile has fought for nearly three hours before losing his singles quarter final at the ATP Challenger tournament in Noumea. The 35 year old Kiwi has lost 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-2 to Frenchman Laurent Lokoli who is ranked 204 in the world,

Meanwhile Ajeet Rai and Aussie Thomas Fancutt are the 4^th seeds and have had a 6-4 6-4 win over Australian wildcards Matthew Harper and Mitchell Harper to reach the semi finals in the doubles in Noumea.

Rai is delighted. “Played great. I have been working really hard all week on certain areas of my game with my dad who’s here this week and Chris Bint from home.”