Japan took a 2-1 lead over Canada with a four-set victory (6-3 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4) in doubles on Saturday in their Davis Cup World Group first-round match.
Japan's Kei Nishikori and Yasutaka Uchiyama relied on their speed and agility to defeat their taller Canadian foes, Frank Dancevic and Daniel Nestor, indoors on the hardcourt at Ariake Colosseum.
Japan is trying to advance to the second round of the World Group for the first time ever and will go for the victory in Sunday's reverse singles where Nishikori will battle Dancevic, while Go Soeda takes on Peter Polansky.