New Zealand beaten by Japan in Davis Cup

Ajeet Rai (left) and Finn Reynolds won the doubles tie for New Zealand against Japan but the tie was lost overall PHOTO: MBPHOTO

New Zealand has been downed by Japan 3-1 in their Davis Cup World Group One tennis tie in Auckland.

The strong Japanese side led 2-0 after day one on Saturday winning the opening two singles in tough matches.

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However the hoem team gave itself a chance when Ajeet Rai now ranked inside the top 200 and Finn Reynolds at 76 beat Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki 7-5 7-6 (5).

However, the outcome was decided in the first reverse singles match between the countries' respective No.1 players at The Trusts Arena indoor venue.

World No.96 Sho Shimabukuro showed his big-match experienced including Grand Slam matches beating New Zealand's 500th-ranked Anton Shepp 6-3 6-3.

It was dominant weekend for Shimabukuro, who beat James Watt in three sets on the opening day after Shepp had gone down to Rei Sakamoto in straight sets.

The loss means the New Zealand side led by non-playing captain Artem Sitak drop into a World Group One playoff against yet-to-be-determined opponents early next year.