World number 12 Kei Nishikori banished his U.S Open demons to propel Japan back into the Davis Cup world group with a 3-2 comeback victory over Colombia on Sunday.
Nishikori rediscovered his mojo after a shock first-round exit in the United States earlier this year, showing the kind of form which swept him to the Japan Open title a year ago as he overpowered Santiago Giraldo 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to level the tie for the home team.
Teammate Go Soeda held his nerve to beat Alejandro Falla 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, triggering wild celebrations in Tokyo. Ripping winners from all over the court, Nishikori ran Giraldo ragged as he tore through the first two sets in just 56 minutes.
A blistering forehand down the line gave Nishikori the crucial break for 4-3 in the third and while Giraldo showed late resistance in saving four match points. But it proved too little too late when moments later a fizzing backhand landed on his toes and the Colombian wafted a forehand wide to set the stage for Soeda.
“I got my rhythm back,” said Nishikori, who won his third ATP Tour title in Memphis earlier this year. “In Davis Cup you have to sort of force yourself to be up for it and it’s really helped me get re-motivated.”
Djoker wins but Serbia locked 2-2
Belgrade: Top-ranked Novak Djokovic beat Milos Raonic in straight sets Sunday to bring Serbia level with Canada at 2-2 in their Davis Cup semifinal.
Djokovic won 7-6 (1), 6-2, 6-2 in a 2-hour, 8-minute match on indoor clay at Belgrade Arena.
The best-of-five series will be decided in the last singles match between Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic and Canada’s Vasek Pospisil.
By winning the doubles on Saturday, Canada moved within one victory of reaching its first Davis Cupfinal. But Djokovic, coming off a four-set loss to Rafael Nadal in the U.S. Open final on Monday, dimmed Canada’s chances with one of his trademark displays against the 11th-ranked Raonic.
Spain sweep Ukraine 5-0
Madrid: Marc lopez and Fernando Verdasco both won reverse singles matches Sunday to give Spain a 5-0 sweep of Ukraine in their World Group playoff. lopez beat Denys Molchanov 6-3, 6-3 before Verdasco dispatched Vladyslav Manafov 6-2, 6-1.
Meanwhile, Daniel Brands secured Germany’s Davis Cup World Group place for another year by beating Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci for an unassailable 3-1 lead in their playoff in UlM on Sunday.
On his Davis Cup singles debut, Brands defeated the top-ranked Brazilian 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to ensure the hosts won the best-of-five match series.