Tokyo, Sep 18 (IANS): Japan booked a place in the elite Davis Cup World Group for the first time since 1985 after Kei Nishikori dispatched Vishnu Vardhan 5-7, 3-6, 3-6 in the first reverse singles to give his side an unbeatable 3-1 lead against India in the play-off here Saturday.
The loss will relegate India to Asia-Oceania Group I.
Debutant Vardhan had to step in for India's No.1 Somdev Devvarman, who could not take to the court because of a right shoulder injury.
The result has now rendered the second reverse singles dead.