Japan beat Britain in Davis Cup as Serbia lose to Denmark

Paris, Feb 1, 2025 (AFP) – Japan came from behind to defeat Britain 3-2 in Davis Cup qualifying on Saturday, while Serbia face a relegation play-off after squandering a 2-0 lead in their loss to Denmark.

After Friday’s singles in Miki were split, Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury won the doubles to put Britain 2-1 ahead, but Yoshihito Nishioka beat Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 7-6 (7/0) to level the tie.

Kei Nishikori, the former world number four, swept Billy Harris aside 6-2, 6-3 in the deciding rubber to send Japan into September’s second qualifying round.

Britain must come through a relegation play-off to stay in the top world group next season.

“Losing is difficult but I can’t fault the efforts of the players here. They gave everything. You win some, you lose some,” said British captain Leon Smith.

Germany head to Japan in the next round after easing to a 3-1 win over Israel in Vilnius, with last year’s ATP Tour doubles champions Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz clinching the tie.

“It’s going to be a tough draw,” said Krawietz. “Of course we want to go to the last eight. That’s the next step for us.”

Serbia, playing without the injured Novak Djokovic, began Saturday needing just one point to wrap up victory over Denmark in Copenhagen, but the hosts stormed back to complete a 3-2 win.

Holger Rune helped Denmark stay alive by teaming up with Johannes Ingildsen to claim the doubles and then atoned for Friday’s singles defeat by downing Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 6-4.

Elmer Moeller recovered from a set down to beat Hamad Medjedovic in the deciding singles and condemn Serbia.

Australia rolled past Sweden in Stockholm as Olympic gold medallists Matthew Ebden and John Peers triumphed in the doubles to book their first home tie since March 2022.

“We’re all here to fight as a team to get a home tie,” said Ebden. “This one is for the team and to take a home tie to Australia.”

The United States romped to a 4-0 win away to Taiwan, while the Czech Republic dispatched South Korea by the same score.

Austria whitewashed Finland 4-0 and Croatia strolled to victory over Slovakia.

Meanwhile, Pakistan were playing in World Group I play-off round one against Kazakhstan at Beeline Arena in Astana.

The visitors faced defeat in the first singles rubber with Muzammil Murtaza losing to Alexander Shevchenko 6-2,6-1, while Huzaifa Abdul Rehman was edged past by Beibit Zhukayev 7-5, 6-0, and in the doubles rubber Aqeel Khan paired with Muzammil. The duo lost to Shevchenko and Timofei Skatov 6-4, 7-6 (6-1).