Kei Nishikori will carry Japan's hopes of remaining in the Davis Cup World Group as the Japan Tennis Association on Tuesday named the world No. 4 to the team for a playoff against Colombia later this month.
Nishikori, who suffered a shock first-round defeat at the U.S. Open last week, will be joined by 19-year-old Yoshihito Nishioka, Taro Daniel and Yasutaka Uchiyama for the Sept. 18-20 tie in Pereira.
Nishioka, who posted his first Grand Slam win before going out in the second round of the U.S. Open, was selected for Davis Cup duty for the first time.
Japan was forced into the playoff after losing in the World Group first round to Canada in March.