HELSINGBORG, 4 March 2022

Sweden and Japan are on a par with 1-1 after the opening day’s singles in Davis Cup by Rakuten Qualifiers tie in Helsingborg.

In front of about 2,000 spectators inside Helsingborg Arena, Yosuke Watanuki the away team got off to a flying start with a 6-4, 6-4 win over world number 327 Dragos Nicolae Madaraswhich replaced Sweden’s top-ranked players Mikael Ymer. World number 85 was forced to withdraw from the match due to a wrist injury.

Watanuki took advantage of all their five break point chances to win after one hour and 21 minutes.

Later in the evening, Mikael’s big brother Elias Ymer defeated Japan’s No. 1 player Taro Daniel 7-5, 6-4. World number 133 beat 19 winners and broke his rivals serve three times to secure the victory in one hour and 57 minutes.

Sweden 1⃣ 🆚1⃣ Japan @eliasymer🇸🇪 looks off @ tarodaniel93 🇯🇵 7-5 6-4 to level in Helsingborg#DavisCup #av Rakuten pic.twitter.com/X1uQ2xA1JF

– Davis Cup (@DavisCup) March 4, 2022

In Saturday’s double rubber, Andre Göransson and Dragos Madaras are scheduled to meet Yasutaka Uchiyama and BenMcLachlan. The inverted singles will be played afterwards.