Davis Cup: ‌Japan​ Takes the Lead Against Colombia

Yoshihito Nishioka Wins in Straight Sets

The men’s tennis international team competition “Davis Cup” World Group ⁢I “Japan vs.​ Colombia” kicked off on September 14th at ​the Ariake ‌Coliseum in Tokyo. In⁤ the opening match, Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka (Miki House: Singles No. 54) defeated Colombia’s Adria Soriano Varela⁣ (Singles No.⁢ 460) 6-2⁢ 6-4, giving Japan the​ lead. The match‍ lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes.

This‍ is⁣ the first ⁢time ‍the two have ‌faced⁣ each other.⁣ Nishioka, 28,⁤ who first joined the Japanese national team in 2015, is‌ participating ‍in the ‍Davis Cup⁢ for the 10th time, with a singles record of‍ 9 wins ⁣and ⁢4 losses.

The two countries ‍competed in the‌ World Group I playoffs earlier this year, with Japan defeating Lebanon ⁢3-1 away and⁤ Colombia defeating Luxembourg ​3-2 at home to advance to World​ Group I. Japan and ‍Colombia have played in the ⁣World Group playoffs in 2013 and 2015, with Japan ​winning both times 3-2.

The Davis Cup has been changing to a new format since 2019, developed in cooperation ​with the International⁣ Tennis ⁢Federation (ITF) and Cosmos, an‌ investment organization founded ⁢by former Spanish​ soccer player Gerard ‍Pique. 24 countries ​will compete in ‍World ⁤Group I‍ in a home and away format, with two singles matches​ in best-of-three ⁣sets on the first day, ⁤and one doubles match and two singles​ matches (first ​team⁣ to win three matches wins) on‌ the second day.

The​ 12 countries that win each match ⁣will ‌advance to the following year’s Finals Qualifiers, while⁤ the⁢ losing 12 countries will advance to the ⁢World Group I Playoffs.

Match Schedule

Day‌ 1 | Saturday, September 14th

• Match 1: Yoshihito Nishioka (Miki House: Singles​ 54th) 6-2 6-4 Adria Soriano Varela (Singles 460th)
• Match 2: Kei Nishikori (UNIQLO: Singles 205th) vs⁢ Nicolas ⁢Mejia (Singles 237th)

Day 2 | Sunday, ‍September 15th

• Match 3: Kei ‌Nishikori (UNIQLO: Doubles –) /⁣ Yosuke Watanuki (SBC Medical Group: Doubles 453th) vs Nicolas Barrientos (Doubles​ 53rd) / Cristian ‌Rodriguez (Doubles 107th)
• Match​ 4: Yoshihito Nishioka ⁤(Miki House: Singles 54th) vs Nicolas Mejia (Singles 237th)
• Match 5: Kei Nishikori (UNIQLO: Singles⁢ 205th) vs Adria Soriano Varela⁣ (Singles 460th)

*Members can be changed.‍ Depending on the rules, the number of matches and the‌ match format may be changed ⁢on the second day.

World rankings in the text​ are as‌ of September⁣ 9th.