Japan lead China in Davis Cup
Saturday, 7 March 2009
OSAKA, Mar 6 (AP): Kei Nishikori and Go Soeda won their singles matches Friday to give Japan to a 2-0 lead over China in a Davis Cup match.
Nishikori, currently ranked 97th, defeated China's Zhang Ze 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 after Soeda beat Zeng Shaoxuan 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the opening match.
Japan moved to within one win of advancing to the third round in the World Group playoffs. Japan could advance with a win by Satoshi Iwabuchi and Takao Suzuki in Saturday's doubles against Zeng and Zhang.
Nishikori last year became the first Japanese winner on the ATP Tour in 16 years with a victory at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships and later earned a call-up for a Davis Cup meeting against India.
Meantime, in Bangkok Australia's gamble on using youngster Brydan Klein in its Davis Cup clash with Thailand failed as he was beaten by the experienced Danai Udomchoke in Friday's singles.
Udomchoke won 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 to even the match at 1-1 after former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt breezed through his match against Kittipong Wachiramanowong, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.
Nishikori, currently ranked 97th, defeated China's Zhang Ze 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 after Soeda beat Zeng Shaoxuan 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the opening match.
Japan moved to within one win of advancing to the third round in the World Group playoffs. Japan could advance with a win by Satoshi Iwabuchi and Takao Suzuki in Saturday's doubles against Zeng and Zhang.
Nishikori last year became the first Japanese winner on the ATP Tour in 16 years with a victory at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships and later earned a call-up for a Davis Cup meeting against India.
Meantime, in Bangkok Australia's gamble on using youngster Brydan Klein in its Davis Cup clash with Thailand failed as he was beaten by the experienced Danai Udomchoke in Friday's singles.
Udomchoke won 6-2, 6-2, 7-5 to even the match at 1-1 after former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt breezed through his match against Kittipong Wachiramanowong, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.