(Reuters) -Davis Cup heavyweights Australia and the United States eased through the first qualifying round on Saturday but Britain were knocked out as Japan hit back from 2-1 down to win 3-2, while Denmark staged a dramatic comeback to overcome Serbia.

Japan fought back from 2-1 down to beat Britain 3-2 in their Davis Cup qualifier on Saturday to advance to the second round while the United States sealed a 4-0 victory over Taiwan.

Japan fought back from 2-1 down to beat Britain 3-2 in its Davis Cup qualifier on Saturday to advance to the second round while the United States sealed a 4-0 victory over Taiwan.

Yoshihito Nishioka and Kei Nishikori won their reverse singles matches as Japan came from behind to beat Britain 3-2 in the fir

Jacob Fearnley and Billy Harris both lost their singles matches on Saturday as Japan earned a 3-2 Davis Cup win over Great Britain in Miki, Japan to send Leon Smith's team to a relegation playoff.

Great Britain will face a relegation play-off in the Davis Cup after their makeshift team failed to make the cut and were beaten 3-2 by Japan. While Jacob Fearnley gave the side hope, this was quickly extinguished as a poor end to Saturday saw them slump out.

Davis Cup heavyweights Australia and the United States eased through the first qualifying round on Saturday but Britain were knocked out as Japan hit back from 2-1 down to win 3-2. Read more at straitstimes.