PARIS: Japan came from behind to beat Britain 3-2 in Davis Cup qualifying on Saturday, while Serbia face a relegation play-off after squandering a 2-0 lead in their loss to Denmark.

After Friday`s singles in Miki, Japan, were split, Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury won the doubles to put Britain 2-1 ahead, but Yoshihito Nishioka beat Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 7-6 (7/0) to level the tie.

Kei Nishikori, the former world number four, swept Billy Harris aside 6-2, 6-3 in the deciding rubber to send Japan into September`s second qualifying round.

Britain must come through a relegation play-off to stay in the top world group next season.

Germany head to Japan in the next round after easing to a 3-1 win over Israel in Vilnius, with last year`s ATP Finals doubles champions Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz clinching the tie.

Serbia, playing without the injured Novak Djokovic, began Saturday needing just one point to wrap up victory over Denmark in Copenhagen, but the hosts stormed bacl( to complete a 3-2 win.

Holger Rune helped Denmark stay alive by teaming up with Johannes Ingildsen to claim the doubles and then atoned for Friday`s singles defeat by downing Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2, 6-4.

Elmer Moeller recovered from a set down to beat Hamad Medjedovic in the deciding singles to spark wild celebrations.

Rune credited the support of some 11,000 Danish fans for enabling them to turn the tie around.

Australia rolled past Sweden in Stockholm as Olympic gold medallists Matthew Ebden and John Peers triumphed in the doubles to book their first home tie since March 2022.

The United States romped to a 4-0 win away to Taiwan, while the Czech Republic dispatched South Korea by the same score.

Austria whitewashed Finland 4-0 and Croatia strolled to victory over Slovakia.

Pedro Martinez and Roberto Carballes Baena steered a Spain side missing Carlos Alcaraz into a 2-0 lead against Switzerland in Biel.

Wins for Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils put France in control of their tie against Brazil in Orleans.

Hungary are 2-0 up on Canada in Montreal.

-AFP