Great Britain faces a relegation play-off in the Davis Cup after losing 3-2 to Japan in their first-round tie.
After the first day ended in a 1-1 draw, Britain took the lead when Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury won the doubles match 7-6, 7-6 against Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki. However, Jacob Fearnley, who defeated former world number four Kei Nishikori on Friday, lost 6-3, 7-6 to Yoshihito Nishioka, leveling the tie at 2-2 and setting up a deciding match.
The experienced Kei Nishikori then dominated Billy Harris 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour to secure Japan’s victory in Miki.
GB captain Leon Smith expressed disappointment but praised the team, saying, “Losing is difficult, but I can’t fault the efforts of the four players here over the last two days… They gave everything they could on the match court.”
The team, which was missing British number one Jack Draper due to a hip injury and number two Cameron Norrie because of illness, will now need to win their relegation play-off in September to remain in the top world group next season.