Takao Suzuki claimed a hard-fought victory but Goichi Motomura lost in straight sets Friday as Japan split singles matches with Thailand on the opening day of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania zone Group 1 playoff.
Suzuki gave Japan the lead after edging Danai Udomchoke 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 before Motomura went down 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 to Paradorn Srichaphan to allow the Thais to draw even at 1-1 at Namihaya Dome.