Japan down Canada to make maiden Davis Cup quarters

Monday, 3 February 2014 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Hosts Japan sailed into the Davis Cup quarter-finals for the first time with a 4-1 victory against an injury-plagued Canada on Sunday. Japanese number one Kei Nishikori was leading 6-2 1-0 on the indoor hard court at Tokyo’s 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 number 119 took an injury timeout but could not continue because of a stomach muscle injury.

Back in World Group after a one-year absence, Japan now have a perfect 6-0 Davis Cup record against last year’s semi-finalists, who were laid low by a spate of injuries. Their top-ranked player Milos Raonic withdrew on Thursday with a foot injury he sustained at last month’s Australian Open, while world number 25 Vasek Pospisil also missed Saturday’s doubles with an injury he picked up at Melbourne Park. Japan will host either Czech Republic or Netherlands in the World Group quarter-finals in April.