Japan's Davis Cup team made headlines on Saturday as they clinched victory over Great Britain with a thrilling 3-2 win during the first round of the qualifiers held at the Bourbon Beans Dome in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture. The match was not just another tennis showdown but rather showcased the tenacity and resilience of the Japanese players, particularly Yoshihito Nishioka and Kei Nishikori.
The tie unfolded dramatically, with Japan trailing at one point during the day. After Saturday's opening rubbers, Great Britain took the lead when Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury secured victory against Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki, narrowly winning both sets at 7-6(4) and 7-6(3). This put Britain within one win of advancing to the next round of qualifiers.
Saturday's initial match-up was fraught with tension, exemplified by the tight scorelines, indicating two closely matched sides. Leon Smith, Great Britain's captain, expressed pride in his team's effort, saying, "Losing is difficult but I can’t fault the efforts of the four players here. They’ve been great to work with, they gave everything they could on the match court."
On Friday, Japan and Britain had split the first two singles matches. Jacob Fearnley, the promising 23-year-old on his Davis Cup debut, shocked former world number four Kei Nishikori by winning their encounter straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, hinting at what appeared to be an upset brewing for Team Japan.
But just as the Japanese fans might have started to doubt, Nishioka stepped up to level the tie at 2-2, decisively overpowering Fearnley with his own 6-3, 7-6(0) victory. His performance was marked by consistent serving and the ability to seize control of the match, leaving Fearnley on the defensive.
Nishioka, the world number 67, spoke after his match, expressing satisfaction with his comeback effort. "I tried to be more solid and aggressive and stay calm today. Very happy the team won. This win will give us confidence," he said, proving instrumental to Japan's comeback.
With the tie level at 2-2, it all came down to the final singles match between the experienced Nishikori and Britain's Billy Harris. Harris, ranked 129th, couldn’t hold back against Nishikori's seasoned tactics as he fell 6-2, 6-3. This victory marked Nishikori's 300th career win on hard courts, adding to the monumental significance of the moment for the Japanese team.
After the match, Nishikori noted the gravity of the win, especially following his previous loss to Fearnley. "I was able to play well today. I'm so glad we joined forces to win this tie. It's a big win for us. There's a huge difference between a win and loss after a close contest," he shared.
This triumph not only signifies Japan's advancement to the second round of qualifying but also makes history as their first victory against Britain. Meanwhile, the defeat sends Great Britain to face the prospect of relegation play-offs later this year to maintain their place in the top tiers of the competition.
Smith, reflecting on the match, acknowledged the challenges presented by their makeshift squad, missing key players like Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie. Despite their loss, he praised his team’s commitment, remarking, "Congratulations to Japan - they played very well and have good depth in their team."
The stakes have now heightened for the British team, who must win their upcoming relegation playoff to remain competitive at the highest level of the Davis Cup next season. Smith assured fans and players alike, "They should be really proud of what they've done - representing Great Britain, it's a real honour."
With this hard-fought victory, Japan’s Davis Cup team sets their eyes on success as they prepare for their second-round tie later this year. The performance not only boosts their morale but also solidifies their growing stature on the international tennis stage, showing they are not to be counted out.