Summary Japan take 2-0 lead over Pakistan Davis Cup World Group I first-round clash on Friday.
ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Japan were too strong for hosts Pakistan on the first day of the Davis Cup World Group I first-round clash in Islamabad on Friday.
Yosuke Watanuki beat Aqeel Khan 6-3, 6-2 without sweating much in the opening singles while Kaichi Uchida was a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) winner against Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi in one hour and 33 minutes.
Shintaro Mochizuki and Yosuke will feature in Saturday s doubles against Qureshi and Khan before the reverse singles on Sunday.
Of the 24 ties across World Group I and World Group II, four are taking place this weekend, with the remaining 20 ties scheduled for September.
Japan, whose best Davis Cup finish was a runner-up spot in 1921, had lost to Ecuador in March last year while Pakistan were outplayed by arch-rivals India last year.
The tie is played without spectators due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The eight highest-ranked winning nations of the World Group I ties in March-September 2021 will automatically progress to the 2022 Davis Cup.
The four lowest-ranked winners will take part in an additional knock-out tie in November, with the two winners progressing to the 2022 Qualifiers and two losers contesting the 2022 World Group I Play-offs.
The losing nations from the World Group I ties will compete in the World Group I Play-Offs in 2022.
Result:
Davis Cup Group I first round: Japan 2, Pakistan 0
Yosuke Watanuki (Japan) beat Aqeel Khan (Pakistan) 6-3, 6-2
Kaichi Uchida (Japan) beat Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi (Pakistan) 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
