Two Victories For Team Japan On Day One Of The Davis Cup

Team Japan have taken the lead after the first day of Davis Cup action in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Competing in World Group I, New Zealand were the underdogs on paper heading into the first day of action, and were unable to secure the upsets despite some high-level play.

In match one, Anton Shepp took to the court against Rei Sakamoto. Sakamoto is ranked over 350 spots higher than Shepp, however Shepp was keeping up with Sakamoto from the baseline for much of the match. Going down a break in the first set, Shepp immediately regrouped and broke the 6'4" Sakamoto’s serve right back. However, at 5-all, Sakamoto secured the second break and took the first set 7-5.

Despite flashes of brilliance from Shepp in the second, Sakamoto proved too much in the end and won the match 7-5, 6-4.

Match two was James Watt vs Sho Shimabukuro. Shimabukuro, currently inside the ATP top 100, failed to start effectively against Watt, who came out aggressive, with his big serve firing. Although there are over 800 ranking spots between them, it was Shimabukuro who had to raise his level, as Watt took the first set 6-3.

The next two sets were close, with both players given chances to break each other’s serves. However, Shimabukuro was able to hang in there and stay ahead, securing the 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Watt in the end.

With Japan leading the tie 2-0 ahead of day two, New Zealand will need to dig deep once again and win all three matches on Sunday to steal the tie.

Not impossible, as proved by New Zealand in February against Bosnia & Herzegovina, where, after trailing 0-2 after day one, Team NZ did indeed win all three of day two’s matches, winning the tie and setting up this clash with Japan.

Watch day two action live on Sky Sport 3 from 12pm.