The Canadian Davis Cup team was defeated 4-1 by Japan in their Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round tie on Sunday at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan. Entering the day trailing 2-1 after a disappointing loss in doubles on Saturday, Canada needed to win both singles matches in order to advance to the quarter-finals. However, Frank Dancevic was forced to retire down 2-6, 0-1 to world No. 18 Kei Nishikori in the first rubber of the day which clinched the tie for Japan and forced Canada into a World Group play-off in September. Peter Polansky (Thornhill, Ontario) fell to Go Soeda in the dead fifth rubber 6-1, 6-4.
With both players having played singles on Friday and doubles on Saturday, energy was bound to be a factor in the match and it was Nishikori who came out looking like the fresher player. Dancevic held his serve the first game but Nishikori went on to break twice, win the next five games and eventually the set.