Indian captain Leander Paes went down in a close contest against Satoshi Iwabuchi, while Mahesh Bhupathi surrendered tamely against Kei Nishikori as Japan closed the margin to 2-3 in the Asia Oceania Davis Cup round II tie in New Delhi on Sunday. Paes lost 4-6, 6-4, 4-6 to the left-handed Iwabuchi in a dramatic fifth rubber after Bhupathi had folded to a 5-7, 1-6 defeat against Japan's no.1 Nishikori.
England wicketkeeper Steven Davies has become the first active professional cricketer to declare that he is gay.
Rafael Nadal returned to Davis Cup action for the first time in two years on Friday with his victory putting Spain ahead in a Group One relegation playoff against Denmark.
In the absence of an injured Yuki, a lot would depend on how the left-handed Prajnesh, who won a singles bronze medal at the Asian Games, performs.
Barcelona won 3-1 at Alaves in La Liga on Saturday thanks to goals by Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan and substitute Victor Roque, who was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.
Russia are the overwhelming favourites when they host Argentina in this weekend's Davis Cup final.
No Indian Davis Cup squad has travelled to Pakistan since March 1964 and in that tie, held in Lahore, India had won 4-0.
The 27-year-old has struggled for fitness and form in 2007 and lost in the first round of the Madrid Masters this week.
Switzerland's former world number one Roger Federer will join Australian Open winner Stanislas Wawrinka in their Davis Cup first-round tie against Serbia next weekend.
Thrust into action courtesy a controversy, it will be a test of nerves and skill for the Indian rookies when they take on South Korea in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie, beginning in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Andy Murray remains committed to playing a full part in Great Britain's Davis Cup defence despite the prospect of a packed schedule hampering the world number two's chances of leading the side to a repeat triumph.
India's Davis Cup captain S P Misra on Wednesday questioned the logic behind the demand for his ouster from the Davis Cup team by Somdev Devvarman, asking why the young player did not speak up when he played some of his best matches under him.
Senior pro Leander Paes's place in the Indian Davis Cup team will be up for discussion when the AITA Selection Committee meets on Monday to pick the squad for the upcoming Asia/Oceania Zone tie against Uzbekistan.
Five-times Davis Cup champions Spain will host Britain in the first round of the 2018 competition.
Hong Kong have withdrawn from their Davis Cup tie against Pakistan in Islamabad citing security concerns, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said.
Djokovic says young rivals have awoken his inner 'beast'
Switzerland's preparations for the Davis Cup Final against France in Lille on Sunday have been disrupted by a back injury to Roger Federer and a spat within the Swiss camp.
India and New Zealand will face off in a Davis Cup tie in September at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) stadium.
France won their 10th Davis Cup title when Lucas Pouille crushed Steve Darcis 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 to give the hosts a 3-2 victory in the final against neighbours Belgium on Sunday.
Australia's Mark Philippoussis will face David Nalbandian in the Davis Cup world group semi-final against Argentina.
Bopanna also in reserves while four single specialists named in squad
India was handed an easy draw for next year's Davis Cup campaign in Asia/Oceania Group I, pitted against Chinese Taipei in their first round tie.
The All India Tennis Association says an unflattering perception is being created about it in the wake of Mahesh Bhupathi's removal as captain when it actually selected Rohit Rajpal because the ITF, till the last moment, had not given the impression that it would move the Davis Cup tie out of Islamabad.
Marin Cilic overcame Federico Delbonis 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 1-6, 6-2 after a titanic tussle in the opening singles rubber to give hosts Croatia a 1-0 lead over Argentina in the Davis Cup final on Friday.
The Indian Davis Cup team is set for a battle of gigantic proportions as it takes on five-time champions Spain, who have packed the side with world class performers headlined by the legendary Rafael Nadal in their desperation to reclaim a spot in the elite World Group.
Uzbekistan suffered a blow with their top player Denis Istomin ruled out of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group 1 tie against India due to a foot injury, on Tuesday.
Belgium's chances of claiming a maiden Davis Cup title against hosts France remained intact after Friday's opening singles, in which David Goffin made a huge impression, were tied 1-1.
Britain will attempt to win the Davis Cup for the first time in 79 years this weekend when they take on Belgium in Ghent, although if they do succeed the Scottish town of Dunblane could argue its name should be enscribed on the trophy.
Roared on by a capacity crowd in the Palexpo Arena, Federer dismantled the world number 17 Fognini 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in just under two hours.
Marat Safin beat Jose Acasuso in a nerve-racking fifth and decisive rubber as Russia beat Argentina 3-2 in final.
The US has put tons of pressure on Pakistan to release Raymond Davis under the cover of diplomatic immunity but it is difficult for the president Asif Ali Zardari to solve the case in a way acceptable both to the American and Pakistani masses. While Zardari cannot put aside Obama's request but at the same time an Egypt-like situation could occur in Pakistan if Davis is released.
Andy Murray is prepared to switch from grasscourts to clay in a matter of days to play for champions Britain against Serbia in the Davis Cup, the world number two said on Friday.
World No 10 Rohan Bopanna and Saketh Myneni suffered a shock straight set mauling at the hands of Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell as India were left trailing 1-2 against New Zealand.
Zee Sports will also present live and exclusive coverage of the Federation Cup and India's away ties.
Australia have appointed Todd Woodbridge as Davis Cup coach in an effort to reverse their flagging fortunes in the competition they have won 28 times.
The rebel group, demanding better playing conditions from the All India Tennis Association, said they will continue to remain unavailable for Davis Cup selection until the federation engages with them in 'good faith'.
Bopanna being the highest-ranked doubles player in the country is automatic choice for the doubles rubber.
Switzerland took advantage of Novak Djokovic's absence to open a 2-0 lead over last year's runners-up Serbia in their Davis Cup tie on Friday with Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka winning their singles rubbers.
