Despite a valiant effort from Kei Nishikori, Japan lost to Britain 3-1 in their Davis Cup World Group first-round tie in Birmingham, England, on Sunday.
With Japan trailing 2-1 entering the reverse singles on the final day, Nishikori needed to beat Andy Murray and then Taro Daniel had to dispatch Dan Evans for the Hinomaru to prevail. The scenario was realistic, as Daniel is ranked much higher (87th) than Evans (157th) on the ATP Tour.
Nishikori, the world No. 6, displayed incredible fortitude in forcing his match with Murray to a decisive fifth set before losing 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 in a 4-hour, 54-minute epic. The second set tiebreaker proved pivotal, with Murray taking a 4-0 lead before Nishikori responded with five straight points before falling.