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February 3, 2014

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Japan into maiden Davis Cup quarters

Japan sailed into the Davis Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 4-1 victory against an injury-plagued Canada in Tokyo yesterday.

Japanese No. 1 Kei Nishikori was leading 6-2, 1-0 on the indoor hardcourt at Ariake Coliseum when his opponent Frank Dancevic retired with injury, surrendering the tie in their first meeting since 1938.

Nishikori pocketed the first set in 29 minutes and broke Dancevic in the first game of the second when the world No. 119 took an injury timeout but could not continue because of a stomach muscle injury.

“The pressure is always on me to win both singles matches,” said Nishikori, who won his opening singles against Peter Polansky on Friday before teaming up with Yasutaka Uchiyama to claim Saturday’s doubles.

“This time I was able to help win three matches.

“The quarterfinals was our goal after getting back in the World Group. To do it in the first year is very rewarding.”

Go Soeda beat Peter Polansky 6-1, 6-4 in the dead rubber to widen the lead to 4-1.

Back in World Group after a one-year absence, Japan now has a perfect 6-0 Davis Cup record against last year’s semifinalist, which was laid low by a spate of injuries.

Its top-ranked player Milos Raonic withdrew on Thursday with a foot injury he sustained at last month’s Australian Open, while world No. 25 Vasek Pospisil also missed Saturday’s doubles with an injury he picked up at Melbourne Park.

Japan will host either the Czech Republic or the Netherlands in the World Group quarterfinals in April.

 


 

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